Newcastle 'well placed' to hijack Carl Rushworth deal after Coventry bid rejected
Newcastle United are plotting a move to sign Carl Rushworth after Coventry City saw an opening bid rejected by Brighton.
The 25-year-old spent last season on loan with the Sky Blues, and played a key role in their Championship win, as he was crowned Player of the Season in the second tier.
Since then, Coventry have been keen to bring him back to the CBS Arena, but with no agreement between the clubs, Newcastle are now preparing to hijack the move.
Former Coventry assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle are big admirers of Rushworth as they accelerate plans to sign a new goalkeeper.
Eddie Howe's side have identified the Brighton shot-stopper as a clear upgrade on their current options as they continue to weigh up a number of targets in his position.
Brighton have already rejected a £20million offer for Rushworth, and are likely to stick to a price tag of around £30million, opening the door for any interested clubs to swoop.
Having assessed a number of potential goalkeeping targets, including the likes of James Trafford and Zion Suzuki, they are now considering a move for Rushworth.
The Magpies could move quickly to agree terms ahead of their rivals, and will need to do so given the strength of Coventry's interest and their desire to do a deal.
"Carl Rushworth is a top-class goalkeeper and he showed that last season," Brown told Football Insider.
"I've always been impressed by him and always heard good things, but last season was when he really stamped him mark on things and proved he can play at a high level.
"Obviously Coventry want to keep hold of him, that's no secret, they want to bring him back, but it's not easy when other clubs join the race.
"For Newcastle, he would clearly be an upgrade on the options they've got at the moment, and he will be very much on their radar after the season he had at Coventry.
"When you look at the available goalkeepers, there aren't too many out there, so when somebody like Rushworth comes along it has to be something they consider.
"If Newcastle can meet Brighton's asking price then there is every chance they could get ahead of Coventry in that race to bring him in.
"I think everybody expects him to move, Brighton just want to make the most money they can from his sale, and if that means selling to Newcastle then Coventry could miss out."
Will Coventry make a new offer to sign Rushworth?
Despite newly emerging interest from Newcastle, Coventry remain the biggest admirers of Rushworth following his excellent season under Frank Lampard last time out.
Upon their promotion to the Premier League, the Sky Blues made a £20million offer for him, which would have been their record transfer if it was accepted.
Brighton ultimately turned down the bid as it did not meet their valuation, but Brown told Football Insider on 14 July that Coventry will return with a new bid for Rushworth.
Lampard's side are believed to be confident that they will get a deal done and are not panicking despite the rival interest given their relationship with the goalkeeper.
A return to the CBS Arena is still considered his most likely destination, but they must first agree a deal with Brighton before their rivals get ahead in the race.