Magpies takeover is sole stumbling block to Woodman return

NEWCASTLE United’s takeover is the only significant stumbling block standing in the way of Freddie Woodman returning to Swansea City next season, the Post understands.

The goalkeeper has been a mainstay under Steve Cooper since joining on a season-long loan deal from the Magpies last summer, starting 43 Championship matches in a row.

However, he will miss the games against Bristol City and Reading having already sat out the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.

Woodman suffered an oblique injury late on in the 1-0 loss to Leeds United on Sunday, meaning his loan with Swansea has effectively come to an end, although it’s understood the goalkeeper requested to stay in south Wales for the rest of the season despite no longer being able to feature on the pitch.

Woodman is desperate to remain in Swansea beyond the current campaign, while Cooper himself has publicly stated he wants the shot stopper to be at the Liberty Stadium next term.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce also recently spoke about the 23-year-old’s impressive campaign in south Wales before adding that he would prefer to see the Englishman secure another loan move away from St James’ Park.

Given Swansea’s financial situation, a permanent deal would be unlikely unless they gained promotion into the Premier League. But another loan is certainly on the cards. Woodman has one year left to run on his contract with Newcastle, so he would realistically need to sign fresh terms with his parent club before departing on a temporary basis again in a bid to ensure the Magpies avoid losing him on a free in the summer of 2021.

The top brass at Newcastle had been keen for Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to gain control of the club before doing any transfer business ahead of the 2020/21 season, meaning Woodman may well face a long and anxious wait this summer to get his wish of returning to SA1.

However, Newcastle recently added Mark Gillespie to their ranks, meaning that - along with Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow – they have three goalkeepers on their books, not including Woodman, so it may well be that some deals still go ahead prior to the potential takeover.