According to the latest reports from Football Scotland, Celtic are interested in signing Newcastle United’s custodian Karl Darlow in the summer transfer window. The 28-year-old managed to play just one game all season for the Magpies, and that is the primary reason why they might have to sell the shot-stopper. The goalkeeper is going to be available for £3m, which is being described as a ‘knockdown price’.
Why might Celtic need a goalkeeper?
Scott Bain has firmly established himself as the no. 1 goalkeeper even though he started the season as the second choice. Craig Gordon continued to be the first choice custodian in the early half of the season but ever since the turn of the year, Brendan Rodgers decided to use Bain in goal. Bain is seen as someone who is more mobile and agile. The custodian is also considered a better distributor than Craig Gordon, and it seems like the former Sunderland man has run his course at Parkhead.
Gordon has also struggled with injuries this season, and he is set to enter in the final year of his contract soon. If the Hoops get a goalkeeper of Darlow’s calibre, then they should look to sell Gordon in the upcoming transfer window. Celtic are going to lose the services of Dorius De Vries as his contract is expiring and it is unlikely that the 38-year-old would be handed a new deal.
Gordon too is 36, and he doesn’t move as freely as before. He too is likely to run down his contract if the club doesn’t manage to sell him in the next few months.
The impressive form of Martin Dubravka has kept Karl Darlow out, and there seems to be no way back for him in the team. Newcastle also have a young and reliable goalkeeper in the form of Freddie Woodman, so it makes sense for them to let someone like Darlow leave.
Why might Celtic face trouble in luring him?
However, we do not think that the former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper would move to Celtic Park to be the second choice custodian. Therefore it would be interesting to see what Celtic will do if they manage to sign Darlow. Spending £3m on a second choice goalkeeper when you already have someone like Gordon as a backup doesn’t make sense. So if Darlow comes in, then he could very likely be the first choice option.
That would be a bit unfair for Bain who has done well since he was made the first choice. Bain has even managed to become the Scotland no. 1. Therefore a lot of decisions need to be made by the club. Darlow is a reliable goalkeeper but to lure him, Celtic might have to offer him first-team football.
