The race for the signature of Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow is heating up as reports from Football Insider as cited by Nottingham Post indicates that Nottingham Forest are looking to bring back their former player to City Ground. Darlow had spent eight years with the Tricky Trees and came up from their academy in 2010, having joined them in 2006.
The 28-year-old custodian has been heavily linked (The Sun) with a move to Leeds United as the Whites are eyeing a move for him to bring depth and competition in their goalkeeping department after losing out Jamal Blackman through injury. The Chelsea loanee was unlucky as Bielsa had confirmed that Blackman was going to get a start over Bailey Peacock Farrell, but before that, while playing for the u-23 side, Blackman suffered a major injury.
That has put the Whites in a precarious situation, and they had to promote William Huffer to the first team to act as backup. Peacock Farrell himself came up from the academy last year in the second half of the season as Paul Heckingbottom decided to drop Felix Weidwald after a string of unconvincing performances from the German.
Reports from the Sun earlier indicated that Darlow is being valued at £4m and the Whites have prioritised signing a goalkeeper in the January transfer window. With Nottingham Forest also in the race, Marcelo Bielsa should look to pull off this move as soon as the transfer period begins.
The Whites must hope that their current position in the table would attract the Newcastle United custodian as they are in a perfect position to make it to the Premier League. Aitor Karanka’s side aren’t too far off as they are three points away from the playoff spot and are currently seventh. However, it’s clear which team is in pole position to move to the English top flight.
Last season, Karl Darlow was a regular at St. James’ Park in the early part of the season but ever since Rafael Benitez brought in Martin Dubravka in January this year, Darlow has fallen down the pecking order and his only appearance this season has been in the Carabao Cup tie which the Magpies incidentally lost against Nottingham Forest.
The Whites have struggled with a strong goalkeeping option for quite some time now and even through Peacock Farrell looks promising, he always seems to have a mistake or two in his game. However, he is still 22, and with enough time, he can develop himself further.
Until then, the Whites should look to bring a more experienced goalkeeper to Elland Road, and Darlow fits the bill perfectly. He is still 28 and has a good amount of football left in him. Also, the Englishman has shown enough quality, and there is no doubt that he can handle himself in the Premier League. However, with his former club entering the frame to get his signature, Bielsa should be careful not to let this player slip away from his grasp.
