Toon to tie up deal for Slovakian goalkeeper?

Newcastle are said to be on the verge of Slovakian goalkeeper Petr Bolek on a season long loan deal from FK Senica.

Sky Sports are running with the story and have actual quotes to back up their claims, so with that in mind I have no reason to doubt the validity of their claims.

It seems a strange one though. I mean Bolek is 27, has never played outside of his home country and isn't even an international. Add to that the fact that we have Tim Krul, Steve Harper and Ole Soderberg that make up the three first team goalkeepers at NUFC so why bother with someone else? I mean granted it's not going to be a financially heavy deal, but even so the money could still be used elsewhere. Like on a new teapot maybe?

Dusan Vrto - the Senica sporting director - is understood to have travelled with Bolek to Newcastle where the goalkeeper will undertake some trial before a final decision is made.

"Petr is to take part in a few training sessions and will undergo a medical," Vrto told the FK Senica official website. "On the basis of these manager Alan Pardew will have the final say over whether they sign him or not. We expected this could happen. We have looked up some alternatives and will see if Petr impresses there."

Meanwhile Viktor Kolar - the agent - has also revealed that we are up against Leyton Orient in the battle for his signature.

"We have received more offers. Some have been only just to ask us for some information but a number of clubs have given us a specific offer," said Kolar.

"We have registered offers from the Russian top-flight as well as from the UK. Leyton Orient have been very interested in signing Petr and he would most likely be first-choice there. Newcastle United have been the next option and in advance both sides have agreed on a season-long loan spell with the option of a permanent move."

I really don't get this one at all. Why go after another goalkeeper unless they are better than what we have? I said much the same about Rob Elliot from Charlton when news first broke about that. I just don't get it. If there is some logic that I'm missing then please feel free to enlighten me.

Of course there is a distinct possibility that this is the work of an agent. They are quite well versed when it comes to a bit of name dropping although that doesn't explain why the club itself is also going along with it.Time will tell I guess.

Make of it what you will, but it's certainly a deal out of the blue.