Newcastle Transfers: 5 Goalkeepers To Replace Tim Krul Next Season

3. Alex McCarthy

Age: 24 Current Club: Reading Value: £1.8m Another regular in the Newcastle gossip columns. McCarthy was meant to part of a major influx of English players last summer and was coincidentally linked just weeks after ex-director of football Joe Kinnear initiated a widespread recoil on Tyneside following his 'Yohan Kebab' radio ordeal. But with Alan Pardew once again eager to enlarge the domestic quota at St James' Park as part of a major squad reshuffle we wouldn't be overly surprised if McCarthy's name was mentioned as a prospective heir to Krul's goalkeeping throne. The 24-year-old's exemplary form 2012/13 earned him England call-up for the friendlies against Brazil and Republic of Ireland despite Reading sliding towards relegation that season and it was expected that McCarthy would leave the Madjeski Stadium for a top-flight club. Sadly it never happened and the talented shot-stopper remained with the Royals during their abortive promotion challenge with his international prospects stalling as a result. Knowing that he needs to play regularly in the Premier League to reignite his Three Lions flame could work in Newcastle's favour should Krul abscond to the Capital city.