Outside of their need for a regular goalscorer, Newcastle United’s second weak spot is at the other end of the pitch, in goal.
This isn’t some slight on Rob Elliot, it’s just what the transfer market suggests, as the Magpies have been linked with a semi-constant stream of goalkeepers.
Over the summer, Marca stated Rafa Benitez had ‘personally picked’ Kiko Casilla to be his new man in between the sticks, but, at the time, the answer was ‘a firm no’.
With Keylor Navas the indisputable starter up until his groin injury, the former Espanyol goalkeeper has had to make do with bit part football at the Bernabeu, and the situation could get even worse if the same Spanish newspaper are to be believed on Thursday.
Marca state Real Madrid are prepared to put €20m bid on the table in January to bring in Athletic Bilbao star Kepa Arrizabalaga, as Casilla’s performances in Keylor Navas’ absence have only highlighted he isn’t the right man for Zinedine Zidane, with an ‘agreement imminent’.
This comes after El Confidencial’s report from a couple of days ago that Real Madrid’s interest in Kepa could lead to their backup goalkeeper ending up on the transfer list in January.
This decision to move for another goalkeeper could very well help Newcastle land their target, and if they can convince the Spanish giants and Casilla with a decent enough offer, this could easily be a goer.
After all, what’s better for you career: becoming third goalkeeper at Madrid or playing regularly with Newcastle?
