Newcastle United have decisions to make when it comes to signing players this summer.
Naturally, much of the focus will be on the big-name stars Newcastle United can bring to the club ahead of another Champions League campaign.
Newcastle could sign two high-profile players this summer as owners PIF look to back Eddie Howe in the transfer market.
That’s all very exciting but Newcastle have something else to consider. Due to UEFA rules, the club need to submit a squad list to the governing body for next season’s campaign and it must include four homegrown players who came through the academy.
Sean Longstaff counts as one but may not be sticking around. Longstaff could leave Newcastle this summer, with Leeds and Everton among the clubs linked.
One rather straightforward way of bolstering the homegrown ranks would be to move for a back-up goalkeeper who came through the club’s academy. All of that brings us to a certain Tim Krul.
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Newcastle United could sign Tim Krul for free
The Dutchman left ADO Den Haag for the Newcastle United academy in 2005. He would make his first-team debut in 2006 and go on to make a further 184 appearances for the club up until 2017.
Most recently, he’s been plying his trade with Luton, albeit he hasn’t featured since 2023.
In May, the Hatters confirmed the 37-year-old would be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract, which will happen rather imminently given it is due to do so later this month.
With that in mind, the veteran looks a logical addition. Granted, Newcastle have several goalkeepers on the books but Krul would be better for the squad than the likes of John Ruddy.
While Ruddy may be a valuable member behind the scenes, he doesn’t help the club comply with the squad rules.
Newcastle United will have alternative to Tim Krul
Fraser Forster is in a similar boat to Krul.
Tottenham have confirmed Forster will leave the club this summer as a free agent. The former England international also progressed through the Newcastle United academy before leaving for Celtic in 2012.
Both players would answer the same need, particularly if Longstaff departs. Freddie Woodman is another name to consider on that front, following his release from Championship club Preston.
Moving for any of them would make sense. Increasing the quota for homegrown players would lessen the need to keep Longstaff, and his potential sale would count as ‘pure profit’ on Newcastle’s balance sheet.
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