Brighton could accept Newcastle's Bart Verbruggen offer if 'performance clauses' key to finalising deal - expert

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Published on:

14 Mar 2026, 2:30 am

Newcastle United may be better off spending their money in the goalkeeping department elsewhere rather than on Bart Verbruggen.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, as Brighton have set a £50million valuation on Verbruggen.

Verbruggen has been linked with a move to St James' Park, alongside the likes of James Trafford, to replace Nick Pope as Newcastle's first choice goalkeeper.

Newcastle will be active in the summer transfer window to strengthen their squad in a number of positions, as Eddie Howe's side look set to miss out on European football this season.

Newcastle 'building for the future' with Bart Verbruggen pursuit

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 Newcastle could sign a more experienced shot stopper over Verbruggen.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks there would have to be an agreement about certain performance clauses between Newcastle and Brighton for a deal to get done.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “There'll be a lot of pressure at St. James's Park as the keeper.

"So look, we'll see. But £50million seems an awful lot for a goalkeeper when I think there are other potential experienced candidates out there.

"But if they're building for the future, it may be a deal to be done if Brighton will accept payments, etc. on certain performance clauses. But I still think that's an awful lot of money for a 24-year-old goalkeeper.”