Dean Henderson would struggle to come into Newcastle United and immediately up-root Martin Dubravka from the number one spot. The Magpies have been strongly linked with a summer move for the Manchester United stopper.
Sources close to the club played down interest in the 25-year-old after reports claimed earlier this month that a deal was ‘close.’ It’s felt that while a new goalkeeper would be welcomed before the new season, Henderson isn’t an instant upgrade on Dubravka.
Speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, Newcastle United Editor Aaron Stokes said: “He’s come through as this big prospect at Manchester United and everyone thought he was going to swoop and steal David de Gea’s number one jersey but that hasn’t been the case.
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“There have been a couple of loan spells that have been hit and miss but he’s clearly held in high regard at Manchester United but not enough to dislodge de Gea. Does that mean he comes in and takes Martin Dubravka’s spot? I’m not sure.
“If you look at other Newcastle links to goalkeepers - let’s say they sign Kepa from Chelsea, he is the type of keeper you can see taking Dubravka’s spot. With Henderson, he’s still young and hasn’t got too much first-team experience, and if he were to come in it would be a case of him doing so to battle Dubravka.
“I do feel we need another goalkeeper of a similar standard to Dubravka. Karl Darlow had a very good start to the season and everyone was praising him for filling in for Dubravka but is he the man over the season to consistently challenge him? I don’t think so. So they do need someone either as back-up to Dubravka or of a similar level this summer but I wouldn’t say it’s a priority by any means.”
In the latest episode of the podcast, Stokes and host Andrew Musgrove discussed the latest transfer links to Newcastle plus the arrival of Dan Ashworth as sporting director and the wait for news on season tickets. You can listen to the episode by clicking here.
