Arsenal & Fulham tailing Newcastle United’s fledgling stopper

Arsenal and Fulham are supposedly tailing Newcastle United’s fledgling stopper Freddie Woodman, a promising England U21 international who is currently languishing in the Magpies’ reserve set-up this term.

Woodman was a predominant member of England’s triumphant ‘Young Lions’ fold that claimed the U20 World Cup in 2017 and was also voted the tournament’s best goalkeeper as a result of his superior exploits.

But, despite his world-beating stature, the 21-year-old has been denied the opportunity to prove his calibre in Newcastle’s first-team and has subsequently guarded the target in the club’s U23 squad in the Premier League 2.

It’s believed that Woodman is hopeful that a handful of Championship clubs will opt to utilise his services on a temporary basis in January. However a report published by Chronicle Live suggests that the Gunners and the Whites are monitoring his progression at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle allegedly rebuffed loan offers for Woodman from Charlton Athletic and Oxford United in the summer transfer window, although the developing ‘keeper has indeed failed to make his mark upon Rafa Benitez’s senior contingent. Consequently, a January switch could be the only viable option for the youngster, if he’s to revive his stagnant career.

It’s not yet known whether the two Premier League counterparts will lodge permanent bids for Woodman, but as it’s thought that the England youth stopper would prefer a change of scenery in the new year, the possibilities for his future in the professional game are ultimately endless.