Newcastle United latest news: Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has been linked with a shock move to St James’ Park - but Chelsea are also interested in the Brighton man.
Chelsea have reportedly shown an interest in signing Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen this summer and lead their rivals in the race for his signature.
The young Dutch goalkeeper has been a regular at the Amex Stadium, but could be the next player to leave the south coast for pastures new. Brighton currently sit 14th in the Premier League table and may, yet again, see an exodus of players this summer.
Verbruggen is someone that could leave and Chelsea, who are no strangers to raiding the Seagulls for their best players, have been linked with a move for the Dutchman. According to Team Talk, the Blues are ‘prepared to match’ Brighton’s valuation of Verbruggen and could pay around £50m to secure his signature.
Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for the 23-year-old as they look for a long-term replacement for Manuel Neuer. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with a move for Verbruggen by those reports.
However, both clubs will reportedly face an uphill battle if they want to sign the Seagulls man as neither can guarantee Champions League football next season. Whilst Chelsea are far from secure in the top-five of the Premier League, with the gap between themselves and Liverpool in sixth down to just two points after the midweek round of fixtures, Chelsea currently hold an eight-point lead over the Magpies and look well set to challenge for Champions League qualification.
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Missing out on Champions League football this season would, according to those reports, almost certainly rule-out Verbruggen joining Newcastle United this summer. Spurs, meanwhile, are currently searching for Thomas Frank’s replacement after parting company with him less than 24 hours after their defeat to Eddie Howe’s side on Tuesday night.
Newcastle United’s summer transfer priorities
After a lean winter window, Newcastle United will be desperate to make the summer transfer window count and strengthen Howe’s squad. Goalkeeper is an area they will likely address with neither Nick Pope, who turns 34 before the end of the campaign, nor Aaron Ramsdale, who has not been a regular following his loan move from Southampton, likely to be long-term solutions in that area of the pitch.
Their pursuit of James Trafford last summer showed a desire to strengthen their goalkeeping department - but the Manchester City man is not anticipated to be a realistic target for them this summer despite his lack of first-team football under Pep Guardiola.
Elsewhere, the club will also have to address their options in defence, with this season’s recent injury crisis highlighting the lack of depth they have in that area when a few injuries strike. Players like Dayann Methalie and Joaquin Seys were on their radar during the winter window and could be ones they revisit when the summer transfer window opens.
However, between now and then, Howe and his players face a real battle on their hands to finish as high up in the Premier League as possible to secure European football and, hopefully, make moving St James’ Park a much more attractive option for any new signings.
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