Newcastle United are on the hunt for a number of options in several positions but still face being stuck in limbo in the goalkeeping department.
Nick Pope's £10m arrival 12 months ago turned out to be the bargain of the summer window and the ex-Burnley stopper will remain Eddie Howe's No 1 for the upcoming season. However, behind him in the pecking order there are question marks lingering.
Mark Gillespie will stay on Tyneside for another season but Karl Darlow looks to be heading for the exit door. The backup goalkeeper spent the second-half of last season at Hull City.
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The Tigers are hoping to strike a permanent deal for Darlow but face competition from the likes of Bournemouth, Blackburn, Middlesbrough and more.
Loris Karius has been offered a new deal at St James' Park but the German's, heavily pregnant, Italian partner has already admitted she is hoping he moves to Serie A.
“Selfishly yes, but, at the same time, I wish him the best in his career," said Diletta Leotta. "We're talking about a boy who has always known how to get back up.
“I don't deny that it would be nice to see him play near me, perhaps around Milan or in Lombardy or in Liguria. It would be much more comfortable than in Newcastle."
The most pressing goalkeeper issue at present remains the future of Martin Dubravka. Quick to jump ship last summer, the Slovakian keeper now faces another crossroads.
Should he decide to leave again, Newcastle will likely have to enter the market for a backup to Pope. Opt to stay, attention may be focused on an additional youth goalkeeper or elsewhere entirely.
Speaking recently, Dubravka told the Chronicle: "For a player that used to play every week, it is not easy to find yourself in a different situation. I was (on his return in January) just trying to create the competition for my colleagues.
"That is my mentality and I will never do anything to stab them in the back. I am still part of this club and I am very proud of that. Some fans might look at me going to Manchester United last summer and not understand why. "They don't see my situation from my perspective.
"I was just trying to find a position where I could play. Any of them who would be in my position they would probably make the same decision. In the last few months, I have been back at my 'home club' and I always feel very welcome here. The fans are incredible."
