Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is the most likely player to be the next Newcastle United signing this summer, according to Football Whispers.
The football site claim the Belgium international, 30, could be headed to St James’ Park after losing his regular starting spot in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Football Whispers, which gathers all transfer rumours across the globe and calculates the likelihood of them happening, rates it 3.8 out of 5 that Mignolet will join Newcastle, with five the highest possible ranking and meaning it is a certainty.
He is top in the rankings ahead of Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup (3.5) and Bournemouth and Spartak Moscow forwards Josh King and Quincy Promes (both 3.4).
OPINION
Given that Newcastle announced the signing of Martin Dubravka this week, it would appear, on the face of it, highly unlikely that they would then follow up by landing Mignolet. The 21-times Belgium international is certainly likely to leave Anfield this summer, and could be followed through the exit door by Loris Karius, the man who supplanted him as the number one. But Newcastle would surely only sign another experienced keeper if they sold both Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow, who will join rising star Freddie Woodman in providing back-up to Slovakian Dubravka in the forthcoming campaign. Mignolet might well have been on Newcastle’s shortlist had they not sealed the signing of Dubravka, who impressed while on loan in the second half of last season, but the link is surely now a far-fetched one. Rafael Benitez must prioritise other areas of his squad, including purchases of a centre-forward, central midfielder, full-back and attacking midfielder.
