A number of Newcastle United supporters have reacted to reports that Freddie Woodman is attracting the attention of Arsenal, who have been monitoring him since last season, according to Football London.
Woodman has been sent out on loan to Championship side Swansea for the last two campaigns, with the Magpies well-stocked in the goalkeeping department. The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the best-performing keepers outside of the Premier League in the last year or so, racking up 12 clean sheets and averaging 2.6 saves per game in the second tier last term (Sofascore).
The goalkeeper’s form during his second loan spell with Swansea has been even more impressive, with the 23-year-old having kept a league-high 14 clean sheets in 23 appearances and recording a save percentage of 60.9% (Transfermarkt). That has seen Woodman concede an average of just 0.5 goals per game, which shows just how commanding he has been for the Swans.
Steve Bruce is already facing what he described as an ‘awful’ choice between the in-form Karl Darlow and the returning Martin Dubravka for the number one slot at Newcastle. The former has so far retained his place in the starting line-up in the Premier League and his impressive form has seen him linked with a potential England call-up.
It has now emerged that Arsenal are looking to solve their issues of needing a new backup goalkeeper by making a potential move for Woodman, according to Football London. That news was shared on Twitter by @NUFC360 and had lots of Magpies supporters discussing whether they should cash in on the 23-year-old.
Across the two loans in Swansea, Freddie Woodman has made 68 appearances for the Swans, conceding 64 goals and keeping an impressive 27 clean sheets. This has brought the attention of #AFC, who are now interested in the GK. They've tracked him since 19/20. [Football London] #NUFC pic.twitter.com/7DUsFNqXVa
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) January 17, 2021
Newcastle fans react to Freddie Woodman reports
Many Newcastle fans were insistent that the Magpies should look to make Woodman the future of their side and should only sell him if it includes a buyback clause, while others just wanted them to tie him down to an extended new deal.
https://twitter.com/CamNUFC_/status/1350765050668195841?s=19
i would too but ashley and charnley aren’t that smart, prob end up selling him for next to nowt
— ryan (@NUFCRyxn) January 17, 2021
Sign him down to a new long term deal and loan him back to Swansea
— Arron Gallagher (@_arrongallagher) January 17, 2021
Dubs is 32.. darlos 30.. woodman definitely should be our number one in a few years!
— dyl (@dylxo94) January 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/bongeordie/status/1350751579683643393?s=19
We'll sell him no doubt, cos he'll want first team football for us next season – just hope we put a buy-in back clause in
— Dante's Dadda ⚫⚪ (@Stu_F_77) January 17, 2021
Thats our future right there, luckily we are well stacked in goal, sign him long term and keep him on loan at Swansea for now
— Davey Beardsley 🧟♂️ (@daveynicnufc) January 17, 2021
Out of three top keepers we have he should be the one we prioritise to keep
— Rohan (@gulliver_rohan) January 17, 2021
Typical #nufc to let the lad go for £1 million 👀
— Rookster⚪️ (@alirook) January 17, 2021
