As confirmed by the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Leeds United have now enquired about a deal to sign top NUFC youngster Freddie Woodman on loan in January.
The England U-21 international goalkeeper may have made the bench in Monday night’s 2-1 win over Burnley following an injury to Karl Darlow (showing that he’s now above Elliot in the pecking order), however he desperately needs regular first-team football.
Leeds could be an ideal move for him. Not only would this be a chance to play at a better standard than he’s played at in the past (after loan moves to the SPL and League Two), they are a side being managed by high-calibre coach Marco Bielsa and are currently vying for automatic promotion to the Premier League; being 2nd at present.
Not only that, they are currently in the midst of a goalkeeping crisis – meaning Woodman would almost certainly get game time at senior level – something he desperately needs after being left to play in our U-23’s so far this season.
Here’s a snippet from the Chronicle’s piece today, confirming an approach from Leeds:
‘Freddie Woodman is interesting Leeds United ahead of the January transfer window.
‘The 21-year-old was called up to Newcastle United’s bench for first-team duty during the 2-1 win over Burnley after Karl Darlow was ruled out with an elbow injury.
‘It remains to be seen how long Darlow is unavailable but Woodman will still be hoping for a loan switch come the new year.
‘Woodman got the nod ahead of experienced stopper Rob Elliot for the trip to Lancashire this week, however, he is desperate to play regular first team football.
‘Leeds have checked out the possibility of signing the England Under-21 international after suffering a goalkeeping crisis with both Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Chelsea loanee Jamal Blackman finding themselves in the treatment room this month.
‘The Elland Road club have been forced to throw 20-year-old Will Huffer between the posts but want a first-team ready goalie to help keep their promotion bid alive.’
Let’s hope a deal can be reached here.
Woodman is being selected for England’s U-21’s and is one of our brightest young talents at the club, so it is only right that he is able to go and prove himself at senior level – and totally wrong that a player of his potential is still being forced to play U-23 football.
