David de Gea’s agent should have been on the phone to Newcastle immediately after Sunday’s loss to Tottenham in an attempt to win his client a contract, according to former Magpies boss Alan Pardew. The former Manchester United goalkeeper has been linked with a move to St James’ Park following Nick Pope’s injury.
Newcastle could be without Pope for much of the remainder of the campaign. The England international requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder sustained in a recent win over Erik ten Hag’s United.
Martin Dubravka has stepped in for the last two matches against Everton and Tottenham. But Newcastle have lost both games, conceding seven goals in the process.
Pardew believes De Gea would be a perfect fit for his old side. The Spaniard is currently without a club after leaving Old Trafford at the end of last season.
Pardew says the 33-year-old’s agent should have called Newcastle chiefs straight after the loss to Spurs. He said on talkSPORT: “De Gea is available. If you’re the Newcastle manager and you’ve got this funding that you’ve got, you’re going to go for the best. I think he’s the best that’s out there.
“If I was his agent I’d be ringing them straight away because it seems like a perfect fit to me. It would only be about how long the contract would be, would it just be to the end of the season?
“Just give him a window to show himself, De Gea, or maybe longer to have direct competition. All of that to be discussed. But I think that is a definite possibility.”
De Gea made 545 appearances for United across a 12-year spell. He was unable to agree upon a new contract and left on a free transfer at the end of June.
Last week, Eddie Howe dismissed all reports linking Newcastle with signing a goalkeeper in January. He says he has full faith in the keepers he has at his disposal.
Howe said: “I’ve seen a lot of media headlines regarding goalkeepers and other players. We have not made any enquiries. If we were to recruit now we’d be recruiting in every area on the pitch.
“It’s a chance for the other keepers to consolidate their positions. We really believe in Martin. Martin is a high-class goalkeeper, very good with his feet and distribution.”
But Jamie Redknapp believes De Gea would be an upgrade on Dubravka. He said on Sky Sports: “I would say so [upgrade on Dubravka].
“How long he would take to get up to match speed, who knows. It’s a nasty injury he [Pope] has picked up. I’m surprised nobody has picked him up.”
