'From what I'm hearing' - This is how much Newcastle will have to pay Brighton for Bart Verbruggen
Newcastle United could have to pay up to £50million if they want to sign Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the summer transfer window.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, as Newcastle have identified Verbruggen as a target to upgrade their goalkeeping ranks.
Verbruggen is Brighton's undisputed number one, and has kept six clean sheets in the Premier League this season.
The goalkeeping position could be part of Newcastle United's transfer plan to keep strengthening their squad, with the futures of Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale also uncertain on Tyneside.
Brighton set 'very high' Bart Verbruggen price tag
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs - believes Brighton have "done very well" at selling players for high prices over the years.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that Verbruggen has yet to reach his peak.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Yeah, look, it's a lot for a young goalkeeper. From what I'm hearing £50m is the sort of number that they're looking at, which is very high for a young goalkeeper.
"And Brighton have done very well, as we all know, in the transfer market and getting those top level prices.
"I haven't really observed him in great detail. He's obviously got a good reputation, but at that age, we all know keepers have got a long way to go. I know that normally around 29, 30 is the sort of prime time. So he's got a long way to go."
Malick Thiaw transfer race emerges
Meanwhile, Wyness has told Football Insider that Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw is wanted by a number of clubs, including Chelsea.
Newcastle could face a battle fending off interest in Thiaw given that Eddie Howe's side are unlikely to be in the Champions League next season, unless they win the competition.
The 24-year-old has proven to be a standout performer under Howe in his first season at the club, with the German international even contributing four Premier League goals.