Reading transfer news: Jaap Stam hoping to land Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow for £5m this summer
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READING hope to land Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow for £5million.
Darlow, 26, was part of Rafa Benitez’s promotion-winning team last term but faces a fight for his place this season.
Benitez still has Tim Krul, Rob Elliot and England under-20s star Freddie Woodman in the keeper ranks at the club.
And Reading are looking for a new stopper as is set to move to the Middle East.
The Oman international, 35, is wanted by Saudi club Al-Hilal after two years with the Royals.
Woodman's World Cup heroics have pointed to a big future in the game as the Young Lions put in a series of mature performances.
He scooped the Golden Glove award for his displays which included a crucial penalty save in the 1-0 win over Venezuela in the final.
Benitez has made Christian Atsu's loan deal permanent this summer after the Chelsea loanee helped inspire his promotion bid.
And ex-Manchester City defender Florian Lejeune has also arrived at St James' Park to bolster Toon's back line.
The Frenchman revealed the Spanish boss was a big factor behind his move.
Lejeune, 26, said: "When you have a manager like Rafa Benitez who wants you, you are very happy to come."
Benitez added: "If he settles well into English football then I am sure he will be a success and will give us a lot of competition in this area."
