Newcastle will reportedly target Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope in the summer in a move that will put the futures of Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow in jeopardy.
Pope has excelled for the Clarets this season since stepping in for regular first choice and captain Tom Heaton in September after the England international suffered a dislocated shoulder that has kept him out for much of the season.
Heaton is on his way back and will expect to regain his place between the sticks at Turf Moor, posing a problem for manager Sean Dyche who must choose between his skipper and the Pope knowing it won’t be easy to keep both goalkeepers happy.
Benitez has sought to strengthen the goalkeeping department ever since taking the Magpies job and, ignoring failed Matz Sels experiment, appears to have found a new number one in the shape of Martin Dubravka.
Rumours continue to swirl that Benitez will turn Dubravka’s loan deal into a permanent one at the end of the campaign and with his alleged interest in Pope, the future looks decidedly grim for Elliot and Darlow, who have both failed to convince the Spaniard of their capability to be his regular n0.1.
