21 December 2023 , 10:36
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Shay Given has urged Newcastle to land ex-Manchester United veteran David De Gea or Aaron Ramsdale to secure their push for a top-four finish.
The Geordies sounded out Arsenal No.2 Aaron Ramsdale who needs first team football to boost his prospect of going to the Euros for England in the summer. But a simpler deal to do would be to get free agent De Gea in on January 1 to strengthen their goalkeeper department.
Given is convinced Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth is searching for reinforcements between the sticks with Nick Pope ’s dislocated shoulder ruling him out for five months. Given rated Toon No.2 Martin Dubravka but said: “What do Newcastle do next? Martin has proven himself a good keeper. He has done very well in the past.
“But the powers that be at Newcastle will be looking at this department right now because Pope is out long term, minimum of four months, most of the rest of the season, and not just a couple of weeks.
“It is such a specialised position. You lose Pope and then get a suspension or sending off and you are down to Karius, who I am not saying is a bad keeper.
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“Ramsdale could be one of them. I would be surprised if a title challenging team would let him go anywhere, be it a loan or a sale. That is Arsenal’s problem. Ransdale would be needing to be knocking on the door asking to go.
David De Gea has remained a free agent since leaving Manchester United at the end of last season (Getty Images)“I’d be surprised if any team going for the title would let anyone go. They’d want to strengthen, not weaken themselves. That is the problem Ramsdale has. I feel a bit sorry for him because he’s done nothing much wrong at Arsenal.
“From Newcastle’s situation, Dubravka gets injured and you are scrambling. The obvious one would be David De Gea. He has got no ties with anyone. Again you want to get him through the door asap.
“It might take a couple of weeks to get him up to speed because he has not had a club for six months or so. He cuts out the negotiating between clubs. It is more black and white.
Shay Given believes Newcastle need to sign a goalkeeper in January
Aaron Ramsdale remains another option for the Magpies (Getty Images)Someone like De Gea would be a big addition even until the end of the season .It might suit all parties. Suit De Gea because he would be back in the window, and Newcastle because Pope is back in April or May.
“The longer David leaves it the worse for him, because he needs to not be out of football too long. He is 33 and in his prime as a keeper.”
Shay Given is a brand ambassador for sports betting platform CopyBet. Visit .