Southampton are the latest side to have expressed an interest in signing Newcastle youth goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, according to the Chronicle.
The Saints – who are renowned for their development of homegrown talent – are preparing for life without Fraser Forster, after he ruptured his left patellar tendon in his knee, leaving him sidelined for up to a year. As a result, they are keen on signing young Woodman to pose as back up to Argentine stopper Paulo Gazzaniga next season. They are joined in the chase by Arsenal, who would be willing to offer the 18-year-old out on loan to gain first-team experience.
Newcastle are hoping they can do enough to convince Freddie to stay at St James’ Park, but the England U21 international may be tempted by interest from other Premier League clubs.
Woodman, who has appeared on the first-team bench on several occasions, was part of the England side that won UEFA European Under-17 Championships in Malta last summer. He also saved two Sunderland penalties earlier this season to book Newcastle’s place in the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup.
With the impending arrival of Karl Darlow – who’s currently out on loan at Championship outlet Nottingham Forest – Woodman is expected to fall further down the pecking order. Should , the teenager would still be delegated to a reserve-team role.
