Newcastle United are considering a summer swoop for Brighton number one Bart Verbruggen, according to reports.
The Magpies are weighing up potential long-term replacements for Nick Pope, who will turn 34 in April, and The I Paper claim Verbruggen is on the list of options that sporting director Ross Wilson is looking at.
Verbrruggen already has plenty of experience in the Premier League, having joined Brighton from Anderlecht in the summer of 2023.
Most Read on Newcastle United News
Despite still only being 23 years of age, the Dutchman has racked up 84 appearances in the English top flight, as well as having played a total of 125 games across all competitions in senior football.
Furthermore, Verbruggen has already been capped 26 times by the Netherlands, having firmly established himself as his country’s first-choice keeper.
Have Newcastle given up on Trafford?
James Trafford is a long-term target for Eddie Howe‘s side but they dropped the ball last year when they took too long to agree a transfer fee for the shot-stopper, allowing former club Manchester City to step in and hijack the deal.
The 23-year-old has, though, found himself behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order at the Etihad, and he is expected to be on the move again this summer.
However, agreeing personal terms with Trafford, as well as finding common ground on the price with City, could prove tricky, so The I Paper believe Verbruggen is the main “alternative”.
Verbruggen has plenty of suitors
Another complication in Newcastle’s pursuit of a new number one will be competition from other clubs. It has been widely reported that Chelsea and Bayern Munich hold a longstanding interest in the Brighton star.
The Blues, in particular, have two members of their staff, co-sporting director Paul Winstanley, and head goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts, who masterminded Verbruggen’s move to the Seagulls when they were part of the backroom team at the Amex.
For that reason, the Magpies should expect Chelsea to be a strong challenger in the race for the Netherlands international’s signature.
Want more news on Newcastle? Add Newcastle United News as a preferred source on Google