Newcastle transfer news: Magpies and Fulham tracking Lucas Chevalier

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Newcastle United are reportedly tracking Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

That is according to Corriere Dello Sport, who claim that the Magpies and Fulham are two Premier League clubs that are keeping an eye on the 21-year-old.

Chevalier is a French goalkeeper, and is currently the first choice stopper at Ligue 1 side Lille. He has made 17 league appearances for Paulo Fonseca’s side, who are fifth in the top flight of French football right now.

The stopper has kept seven clean sheets, which is a very impressive tally for someone so young. He is already establishing himself as a senior goalkeeper in one of Europe’s top leagues, and is now attracting admiring glances from teams in England.

Both Newcastle and Fulham are reportedly keeping an eye on Chevalier, who recently signed a new contract with Lille. He now has a deal with Les Dogues until the summer of 2027.

That lengthy contract could make it very difficult and expensive for any club to snap him up, and it is strange to see Newcastle linked.

Newcastle have no need for Lucas Chevalier

While Chevalier is a top talent, Newcastle have no need for a goalkeeper right now. Eddie Howe currently has Nick Pope in between the sticks, who joined the club from Burnley for £10million last summer.

He has been an exceptional signing, keeping 12 Premier League clean sheets already. That is more than any other Premier League goalkeeper this season.

The 30-year-old was a top class addition, and will be Newcastle’s number one for years to come. He will soon be coming into his prime as a goalkeeper.

There is no need for the Magpies to sign another senior goalkeeper. We currently have Martin Dubravka and Loris Karius in reserve.

In the long run, Howe will need someone to eventually replace Pope. Chevalier might have the ability to do just that, but a move to St James’ Park in the near future would not make sense.

He is now solidifying himself as a number one at Lille, having previously been third choice. That was his role when Lille won the title in 2020, back when Sven Botman was at the club. If he were to join Newcastle, he would only sit on the bench. From his perspective, a move to Newcastle would not make sense.

A move for Chevalier would come as a shock and while it would represent the forward thinking that he want to see from the club, it would raise questions over youngster Jude Smith, who signed for the club last summer. Dan Ashworth brought him to the club from East Fife, and must have belief that he can go on to become a first-team player on Tyneside.