Exclusive: Newcastle close to reported 28yo pre-contract signing, Hutton: 'I'd love to see it'

Alan Hutton insists he would "love to see" Motherwell goalkeeper Mark Gillespie make a move to Newcastle United this summer.

The former Scotland full-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, insists that the Newcastle-born keeper is a "great" shot-stopper who has stood out in the Premiership this season.

The Athletic report that the 28-year-old was on the brink of signing a pre-contract agreement with the Magpies before the season was suspended and the prospective takeover emerged.

Hutton admits Gillespie has really caught the eye between the sticks at Fir Park this season and that it is no surprise the likes of Newcastle are keen.

Hutton told Football Insider: "Motherwell have been great over the last few seasons and I think he's a player who has really come of age and is doing well.

"It's no disrespect to a lesser team but you have to have a good goalkeeper, he's the guy that keeps you in the games. He's made great saves over the course of the season so it doesn't surprise me that teams are looking at him.

"Obviously with the takeover, will they be looking at somebody else now? We'll have to wait and see but he's a great goalkeeper and it would be a great move for him. I'd love to see it, another player going down south and really making it."

Gillespie has 67 appearances under his belt for Motherwell since joining from Walsall back in 2018, with 16 clean sheets in 38 games this season.

Newcastle currently have four first-team goalkeepers on their books with Martin Dubravka backed up by Rob Elliot, Karl Darlow and current Swansea loanee Freddie Woodman.

In other Newcastle United news, Paul Robinson has touted a £70million signing this summer.