Newcastle United are reportedly now chasing a move for Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the January transfer window.
The Lowdown: Goalkeeper conundrum
With Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman still at St. James' Park, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium now have a little bit of a conundrum on their hands in terms of what to do in the goalkeeping department.
What is clear is that they would need to let one or two of them go in January if they would like to bring a new number one in, but that may not be so easy to find midway through the season.
Nonetheless, with the North East club also being linked to the likes of Thomas Strakosha recently, it seems to be an area that they are keen to strengthen in.
The Latest: Ter Stegen offer
As per Sport (via Sport Witness), ter Stegen has now 'received an offer' from the Tyneside outfit to join them in January, but the Germany international did not want to listen.
He was reportedly left ‘surprised’ to know that the Magpies 'still did not have a technical structure’, and so it looks as if the new owners will have to try a lot harder to convince him to sign from FC Barcelona.
The Verdict: Move on
It does not seem as if ter Stegen wants to move to the Toon, and so it is time for them to move on.
Currently rated at £49.5m by Transfermarkt, it would likely cost a lot of money in order to lure him away from Barca, and in perhaps the only position the Toon Army can actually boast some depth in already.
Given the decorated career that he has had so far, in which he has won the UEFA Champions League among many other trophies (Transfermarkt), it is understandable that ter Stegen would not want to join to be involved in what looks to be a relegation scrap, when he is already at a prestige club in La Liga and the Champions League.
Nonetheless, the new owners should be looking at strengthening other areas of the pitch first of all, before they start looking for a new man in between the posts.
In other news, find out which three major signings PIF are plotting here!