According to The Chronicle, Premier League clubs have started showing interest in Newcastle’s highly rated young goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
Arsenal and Fulham have been scouting the youngster and could potentially make a move for him in January.
It’s worrying news for Newcastle as Woodman failed to sign a new deal this summer.
To make matters worse, Newcastle then refused the keeper any loan moves at the start of this season.
And with no first team opportunities on the horizon, he has been left in something of a career limbo. It certainly seems a bizarre way to treat young talent.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
There’s no doubt Woodman will feel he is being denied the chance to develop himself somewhere else.
The shot-stopper has been forced to ply his trade in the U23s team this season, an odd predicament for England U21’s current first choice goalkeeper.
Woodman was one of England’s best players at the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea last year. He helped the U-20s team win the tournament and was awarded the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper.
The side included the likes of Dominic Solanke and Dominic-Calvert Lewin who went on to feature heavily for their Premier League clubs last season.
Woodman, however, has seen his career stall somewhat at Newcastle.
Why Newcastle need to keep Woodman happy
Woodman is understandably frustrated with his situation.
With three keepers ahead of him, it’s looking unlikely he’s going to break into the first team anytime soon.
That didn’t seem to matter last season though when he enjoyed a January loan move to Aberdeen on the back of his World Cup success.
Newcastle must once again let him seize a loan opportunity in January to help encourage him to sign a new deal.
If not, the club risks someone making a permanent move for him in the new year which would be a terrible loss.
Many of England’s current goalkeepers such as Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland originally starred in England youth set ups.
There’s no reason why the shot-stopper cant reach the same level as those two. After all, he has already achieved more in his youth career.
It’s rare for Newcastle to have a player so highly rated in the England youth system. Perhaps its time to start making promises to Woodman who is clearly looking for more competitive experience.