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Newcastle United have been linked with the signing of many new faces ever since the Saudi Arabian investment came into the club in 2021. Manager Eddie Howe has always insisted that he will only sign the right players to add to his squad, and he is lining up a move for a goalkeeper currently playing in the Championship.
According to The Sun, West Bromwich Albion keeper Josh Griffiths could be set for a move to St James’ Park. The England Under-21 international has impressed since being handed an opportunity of regular football with the Baggies last season.
Griffiths has had to be patient in getting a chance to impress with WBA, so much so he has had several loan moves away from The Hawthorns to try and impress his parent club to give him more minutes. He would get that chance following an injury to Alex Palmer meant that he was recalled from a loan stint at Portsmouth.
From February onwards, he played ten times for West Brom, and Newcastle have seemingly been aware of the effectiveness of his contribution in that time. Another big reason for wanting a new goalkeeper is that Karl Darlow is set to depart the club on a permanent basis after spending time on loan with Hull City last season. Middlesbrough is believed to be his next destination.
Nick Pope is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper in the eyes of Howe, but he will want to drive competition for places and ensure the senior England international is not too comfortable. Griffiths, who will turn 22 in September, will surely have his best years ahead of him, which is why Newcastle are preparing an offer that West Brom may not be able to refuse.
Newcastle too can offer UEFA Champions League football, something they’ve not been able to do since Sir Bobby Robson was in charge, meaning that particular bargaining chip stands them in good stead in terms of being able to attract players to the club that they maybe previously was not able to do. Whilst big names are often linked, Howe won’t necessarily jump to sign them based on reputation.
In addition to Portsmouth, Griffiths also spent time on loan with fellow League One club Lincoln City, whilst he too played a season with Cheltenham Town where they were in League Two. He has seemingly down the progression through the leagues of playing in League Two, League One and the Championship, so the Premier League is surely the next logical step.
Whilst West Brom will hope he will play in the Premier League with them, their financial situation means that they may have to part ways with Griffiths just to bring in some much-needed funds. Last month, The Telegraph highlighted that the club are experiencing some money issues.
Newcastle United: Would Griffiths be a good signing?
Like most young goalkeepers, they make mistakes, and Griffiths won’t be an exception to that. A top keeper will react to that and be better for it, and that is exactly what Griffiths has demonstrated over his loan spells and brief time in the West Brom side. He will only get better and better, and there are actually similarities between him and Pope.
Both are on the tall side, but Griffiths is much younger compared to the 31-year-old, and Newcastle may feel they could mold him into a strong long-term replacement with the right training. He has never played in the Premier League before, but Howe is great at managing these type of players and understands how to improve them gradually over time.