Newcastle United: Hull City in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Karl Darlow

Hull City are reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Karl Darlow from Newcastle United on loan for the rest of the season.
The Lowdown: Lack of game time
Darlow has had a lack of game time so far this season, making only one senior appearance in the Carabao Cup against Tranmere Rovers.
Martin Dubravka has been recalled from his loan spell at Manchester United, while Loris Karius has extended his contract at St. James’ Park until the end of the campaign.
This means that with Nick Pope and Mark Gillespie as well, Eddie Howe has five senior goalkeepers to choose from in his current squad including Darlow, and so one would expect one or two of them to leave before the end of the transfer window.
The Latest: Hull in advanced talks
As per Football Insider, Hull are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Darlow on loan until the end of the term, with just the ‘finishing touches’ being put on the deal.
Eddie Howe has refused to sanction a move for Darlow up until this point until after the completion of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Southampton, as Dubravka is cup-tied after featuring for United earlier in the tournament.
The Verdict: Time to go
Darlow has been a faithful servant to the North East club, making 100 senior appearances for them in total, but with the number of goalkeepers in the squad and Pope being Howe’s undisputed number one, it is time for him to move on.
Once hailed as ‘exceptional‘ by Magpies legend Alan Shearer after an impressive clean sheet against Liverpool in 2020, Darlow has also been lauded as a ‘great professional‘ by his team-mate Jamaal Lascelles.
The 32-year-old has been happy to step in when called upon, but is simply not needed anymore with the options that Howe has.
If he impresses at Hull, the Championship club could look to sign Darlow on a permanent deal after his loan spell, which would be best for all parties involved.
