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Newcastle line up TWO alternative options in goal

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Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-HabsiNewcastle United are sure to receive bids for some of their star players this summer, with Tottenham and Chelsea both interested in Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul. Should the Magpies lose their number one, then the Journal is reporting that Alan Pardew has two backup options in between the sticks.

Unsurprisingly Tim Krul will be in demand at the end of the season, as the Dutchman is just one clean sheet behind Manchester City’s Joe Hart in the race for the Premier League Golden Glove. Krul will also go to Euro 2012 with The Netherlands, although he faces a battle to become his country’s number one.

Newcastle are in a strong position with Krul, as they tied the 24-year-old down to a long term contract earlier this year. Manager Alan Pardew is looking to make the position even stronger by making sure they’re ready to move to a replacement goalkeeper should that scenario arise.

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Like many of Newcastle’s transfer targets this summer, one goalkeeper that Newcastle are looking at is a Dutchman, plying his trade in the Eredivisie. 21-year-old Jeroen Zoet is currently on loan at RKC Waalwijk from his parent club PSV and is the number one for The Netherlands U21 side.

6ft 3in tall, Zoet is valued at around £1 million and the youngster would be more likely to go in as Newcastle’s number two in goal, rather than taking the gloves directly from Krul. He would be a great understudy for Tim and Krul would be able to help him settle in English football.

Newcastle’s other Plan B in goal has the talent and the Premier League experience to go straight in between the sticks. Ali Al-Habsi has spent six years in English football, first with Bolton Wanderers and now with Wigan Athletic, and the Oman international’s stock continues to rise all the time.

He has played a central role in all but keeping Wigan in the Premier League both this year and last, and the 30-year-old just seems to keep getting better and better. He has over 70 caps for his country and the flamboyant shot stopper may be looking to make the step up to a club playing in European football.

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Click on Le Tissier below to see the Newcastle duo in his Team of the Year

Matt Le Tissier - player

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