Newcastle Transfer News: Oxford United Aim To Take Toon Starlet On Loan

Newcastle United are fighting off interest from Premier League sides for their England Under-19 goalkeeper Freddie Woodman - and could instead allow him to join Oxford United on loan next season. Arsenal and Southampton are known to be interested in Woodman - as are Crystal Palace, with former Toon boss Alan Pardew keeping tabs on the youngster€™s situation. A report in The Chronicle claims Oxford are hoping to take the 18-year-old stopper on a season-long loan deal, with Woodman keen to gain first-team experience having failed to make an appearance during a one-month temporary switch to Hartlepool United in 2014-15.

The son of Newcastle goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman, who Pardew also reportedly wanted to take with him to Palace, the shot-stopper is rated as one of the most-promising youngsters at Newcastle. Reserve-team coach Peter Beardsley has been quoted in the past as saying he believes Woodman will one day be a full England international, so the Magpies will be keen to give him much-needed experience in 2015-16. Southampton scouted Woodman during Newcastle€™s Under-21 matches in the 2014-15 campaign and have been impressed by his abilities. The Magpies have aimed to put off suitors by tying Woodman down to a long-term contract, but his undoubted potential means that Premier League clubs will continue to sniff around. Woodman was regularly on the bench last season due to the injuries suffered by Tim Krul and Rob Elliot - and he is seen by the Magpies coaching staff as the long-term successor between the sticks for Newcastle. With Karl Darlow finally arriving from Nottingham Forest this summer, however, Woodman's opportunities on Tyneside in the short term will be limited so he will likely leave on loan. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.