One of Sam Johnstone or Joe Hart are expected to arrive at Aston Villa in the coming week. Should both choose greener pastures elsewhere, Steve Bruce must prep for alternatives. Karl Darlow is one such goalkeeping alternate.
Sky Sports and The Birmingham Mail suggest Aston Villa is keeping tabs on Newcastle United goalkeeper, Karl Darlow.
SkySources #nufc reject 5m bid from rivals #mfc for goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Second bid expected. #avfc and #royals also interested. #SSNHQ
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesTV) July 7, 2017
Yes, the same Karl Darlow that spent close to a decade in the Villa academy as a kid/teenager. From 1998-2006, Darlow played in a number of Aston Villa youth sides before his release at the age of 16.
Would he return to the same club that released him all those years ago? Who knows. Perhaps he still harbors hard feelings.
Newcastle United face a crazy glut of talented goalkeepers. Currently, their roster consists of: Darlow, Tim Krul, Rob Elliot, and Freddie Woodman. Moreover, until two weeks ago, they had Matz Sels. They’ve since loaned him back to Belgium with Anderlecht. Newcastle are another club linked to Joe Hart as well, though, Rafa Benitez threw cold water on that rumor by reportedly declining a permanent transfer.
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Darlow enjoyed a successful 2016/2017 with Newcastle United. He made 34 league starts, contributing 13 clean sheets in the process. Before the season, Darlow was at best the number two ‘keeper, but more likely the number three. Summer signing Matz Sels began the year as the number one with reserve veteran Rob Elliot also in the fold.
Darlow, 26, stands at a comfortable 6’1″. He’s a capable shot-stopper with about average athleticism. Despite not being the tallest of goalkeepers, KD claimed 98% of crosses successfully.
Verdict:
Middlesbrough and Reading are both confident of landing KD’s signature. Where he’ll go is anyone’s guess, but the Championship seems likely.
Any of: Hart, Johnstone, or Darlow would fit nicely with Aston Villa. Though, at the moment, KD seems like an alternative option.