Newcastle United Submit Bid for La Liga Goalkeeper

British club Newcastle United have been scouring the market to solve their goalkeeping issues and seem to have found a solution at last. Reports from Spain claim they have submitted a bid for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Newcastle hope to convince Valencia to sell Mamardashvili

According to Spanish sports radio station El Partidazo de COPE, Newcastle United have launched a bid for Giorgi Mamardashvili which is believed to be around £35 million(€ 41 million). Valencia are yet to decide on the bid. The Valencia shot-stopper signed a contract extension in 2022 to keep him at the club until 2027. According to a clause in the contract, his old release clause of £17 million was increased to £85 million. But Newcastle will hope for the Spanish club to lower their valuation.

The Magpies faced a major setback this season when first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope was ruled out for four months after suffering a shoulder injury in December 2023. He missed the rest of the season and is set to miss the EURO 2024 as well.

Newcastle had been expressing interest in many keepers from across Europe. They had targeted Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale but balked at the price set by the Gunners. So it is quite surprising that they have decided to submit a £35 million bid for Mamardashvili as that is almost the same amount Arsenal had demanded for selling Ramsdale. Villarreal keeper Filip Jorgensen is another transfer target for Newcastle and they might move for him if they fail to land Mamardashvili. They are looking for a keeper who can fight for the No.1 jersey with Pope.

Mamardashvili initially signed for Valencia on loan in 2021 before the La Liga club decided to make his move permanent after being impressed by his shot-stopping abilities. Since then the Georgian keeper has become a mainstay in the first team and was named in La Liga's Discovery of the Season team by Spanish outlet Marca in May 2022.