Top-flight club have made bid for sought-after Newcastle ace – report

Mon 31 July 2017 12:37, UK

By Harvey Byrne

Scottish Premiership side Hearts have made a loan bid for Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and are now waiting for a response from the Magpies, according to a report.

The Chronicle have reported on their website that Hearts are trying to sign the 20-year-old on a season-long loan deal.

However, they aren’t the only club chasing the Magpies ace and it is said that the young stopper is sought-after with League One clubs Bury and Northampton also keen to take him on loan.

But, the lure of top-flight football could be in Hearts’ favour and it is detailed that the Tynecastle club are even ready to start him in their season opener against Celtic on Saturday.

Woodman also spent the second half of the last campaign on loan in Scotland’s highest division after he made the move to Kilmarnock in January.

He ended up playing 15 times in total for the Scottish side, keeping four clean sheets while conceding 16 and his stock has only risen this summer after starring in the England Under Under-20s World Cup win this summer.

Football Insider verdict:

With Woodman not yet having made a senior appearance for Newcastle alongside the Magpies reportedly chasing a new stopper it is clear that the youngster needs to move on loan if he is to continue his development. The youngster is certainly set for a bright future and is a top talent and a move to the Premiership would be beneficial for him, rather than joining a League One club. But, given Newcastle’s current goalkeeper problems as well as the rise of Jordan Pickford after close rivals Sunderland gave him a chance last season, the Magpies might not do too badly if they blood Woodman next season.