Tom Heaton has been one of the in-demand players for the next season, with a number of Premier League clubs including Newcastle United showing interest in him. Reportedly, he is one of the major targets for the Toons manager Rafa Benitez, who is looking to bring in fresh blood in order to revamp his side for the next season, which will be their first season after a yearlong gap from top flight football.
The Magpies were promoted from the Championship this season, owing to a good all round performance from all its players. However, their present manager Benitez has demanded for a whopping £100 million to make the side strong enough to take on the best teams in the Premier League. Heaton has been brilliant in the goal for his current club Burnley and is rumoured to be in the plans of the Newcastle coach for the new season.
The England international, who has also earned his maiden call-up recently, is also a prime target for Crystal Palace. Their current manager Sam Allardyce has been much impressed with the 31-year-old goalkeeper’s performance under the crossbars and wants to make a bid to bag the England international for the next season.
Reportedly, Burnley has put a price tag of £15 million on the shot-stopper. Heaton has got three years left on his contract with Burnley as well. However, if Rafa Benitez gets the green signal from the top management of Newcastle, it is being speculated that the Spaniard will definitely go for the England international in order to bag him for the next season.
Heaton has been instrumental between the bars for his club in the current season. Apart from his ball handling and shot-stopping abilities, his fearless attitude even in front of some of the best strikers in the world has earned him much praise from Burnley players and fans. Sean Dyche, the current Burnley has been more than impressed with his performance and will try to keep hold of the England international for more seasons to come as well.
Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez has asked for permission from the higher authorities of his current club Newcastle United to get involved in the matters regarding arrival and departure of new players into the club in the new season. He has demanded for complete charge of affairs regarding the matters of transfers and which player to keep and which one to let go off. However, it is still not clear how the management of the club will react on this.
