Newcastle United could revisit a move for Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla this summer, according to The Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh.
The Magpies reporter claims that the 32-year-old was a target for manager Rafael Benitez before the Spaniard ended up signing current number one Martin Dubravka.
Now, Waugh believes Newcastle could go back in for the Leeds shot-stopper as a back-up option if some of the club’s other ‘keepers depart in the off season.
There is uncertainty over the futures of all three of Dubravka’s deputies, Karl Darlow, Freddie Woodman and Rob Elliot, while Benitez is clearly an admirer of his countryman.
OPINION
This is an interesting one, but it probably depends on whether Leeds go up via the play offs this season. Marcelo Bielsa’s side will take on Frank Lampard’s Derby County in the semi finals, before meeting either West Bromwich Albion or Aston Villa if they progress to the showpiece event. If Leeds don’t return to the Premier League, though, then Casilla could well view a move to Newcastle as a decent option. He won’t view it as a back up role, but will see the move as a chance to win a spot as a first choice Premier League stopper. There is uncertainty over the futures of the aforementioned trio of Newcatle ‘keepers and it’s likely that one or more of them will depart this summer. That could then facilitate a move for Casilla, but whether Leeds will allow him to leave is another matter entirely. When viewed as a whole, there probably isn’t much chance of this potential move coming off this summer, to be honest.
