Ajax Amsterdam eyeing loan deal for Newcastle keeper Tim Krul to replace Jasper Cillessen
Netherland and Newcastle United goalkeeper, Tim Krul, is all set to return to his homeland to join the most successful club in the country Ajax, on a season-long loan. The move will see the 28-year-old goalkeeper leaving St. James Park after being their main man for the last 5 seasons and whose academy he joined as a 16-year-old.
According to Dailymail, if the deal goes through the Magpies have to subsidise part of his £60,000/week salary. Krul currently has only 10 months left in his contract and Newcastle will be offering their man a new contract before loaning him out to his homeland, as they fear losing him for free next season.
The effect of Pep Guardiola axing Joe Hart at Manchester City, has all but complicated the situations of few goalkeepers around Europe. Ever since it was clear that the England number 1 has fallen out of favour under Pep, it was widely speculated that Pep will be going after Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo which is on the verge of being materialized.
Barcelona is believed to be happy to pocket in a fee around the region of £12 million for the 33-year-old and bring in Dutch international Jasper Cillessen as back up to Andre ter Stegen. This leaves a void at Ajax, who handed goalkeeper Andre Onana his debut against Willem II only to lose on their home turf. They are now desperate to replace the Dutch keeper with another Dutch and hence sees Tim Krul as a potential option.
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Meanwhile, Newcastle has good depth in the goalkeeping position after singing Matz Sels in the summer. With Krul regaining full fitness and Rob Elliot doing a descent job since Krul suffered the cruciate ligament injury back in October, 2015, it will be tough for Benitez to accommodate all. Krul will move to the Eredivisie club with the prospect of having regular football. Speaking on the situation Rafa Benitez said:
“We have Sels now, we have Darlow and we have Woodman so we can’t keep five keepers for the whole season.”
“If we can have a solution before (the transfer window ends) – he is getting fitter but it depends if anyone is interested, if they are, we will listen to them.”
“We want to find the best solution. We want what's best for the player and the club."
The move is expected to be finalized once City gets their Bravo deal done and Cillessen paves the way for Krul. It will be a positive move for Tim Krul as he will be leaving Championship to play Champions League football next season should Ajax see off FC Rostov in the qualifier having held to a 1-1 draw in the 1st leg.