Middlesbrough’s pursuit of Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow would make sense for many reasons

Middlesbrough have interest in signing Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow this summer, and it’s a move that makes sense for a lot of reasons.

Boro will be looking to strengthen their goalkeeping department this summer as Zack Steffen’s loan spell came to an end at the conclusion of last season, with a return to the Riverside never likely for the Manchester City and USA goalkeeper. Darlow is one of the players identified as a target this summer.

Boro will face competition for his signature, however, with Hull City keen to sign the 32-year-old permanently after a successful loan spell at the MKM Stadium in the second half of last season. Reports over the weekend suggested the Tigers had moved on to alternative targets, believing they’d lost out to Boro, though our sister site Hull Live understand they are still hopeful of securing his return.

And while that could be an attractive prospect for the shot-stopper given his positive experience in Humberside, there are many reasons why, for Darlow, the Boro move will also be attractive. While Hull have top-six aspirations of their own next season, Boro are considered a more likely promotion contender having made the play-offs last term.

READ MORE: Middlesbrough’s summer priority positions to strengthen this summer as club plan ambitiously

On top of that, Michael Carrick is an obvious selling point for Boro, with his standing in the game after a stellar playing career then backed up by a really encouraging start to his coaching career on Teesside. And the other most obvious pull for Boro is that it would mean Darlow would not need to relocate his family from Tyneside, having spent the last eight years at St James’ Park.

But Darlow is expected to move on this summer, having dropped down the pecking order at Newcastle United and desiring first-team football. Boro should be in a position to offer Darlow that, given the departure of Steffen, though some might question whether they would be better suited offering exciting academy product Sol Brynn a shot next term.

Brynn enjoyed an excellent campaign at Swindon Town last season and, based on reviews of his performances there, showed the desired attributes that would make him an ideal goalkeeper for the kind of style that Carrick wants to play at Boro, for which we saw last season the importance of the goalkeeper has.

But it’s also that style, as well as the natural pressure that will be on the goalkeeper next season given the obvious expectations on Boro, that make a move for a more senior goalkeeper like Darlow sensible. Signing Darlow would by no means result in any guarantees that he would have his spot in the team no matter what, but he would sign with the intention of being first-choice, all the while knowing there are quality backups in Brynn and Liam Roberts ready to displace him should his form dip.

That kind of competition for places was seen throughout the squad last term as Boro improved dramatically under Carrick’s guidance, and the head coach regularly noted how such depth and competition, as long as it’s channelled right, is only ever a positive.

While there is always a hunger to see academy players given opportunities at a club like Boro, getting the timing of such decisions right is just as crucial because a negative initial experience when not ready can prove really detrimental to a player’s development longer term. What must be considered is the fact we don’t have the benefit of watching Brynn in training regularly, which the Boro coaches do.

Brynn is a player of immense potential who, should he continue on his current trajectory, should one day step up to become Boro’s first choice. But right now, at just 22 with minimal experience of senior football and at a level below that of the Championship, it would be a huge ask of him to be the first choice this season when the expectations on Boro are to challenge for promotion.

As they plan to try and stave off interest in key players and strengthen other areas, thus costing them significantly financially, it would also be a huge risk from the club’s point of view to then put all their faith in as yet untested Brynn. And that’s why a move for Darlow makes so much sense.

While in the majority of cases, Boro would prefer to sign younger players with potential resale value in the future, signing a more experienced Darlow this summer has its own longer-term benefits. While goalkeepers are generally considered to come into their prime later than outfield players, the fact that Darlow doesn’t likely have many years left at the top level means there would remain a clear pathway for Brynn to the first-team still.

If the plan is to have Brynn stick around at Boro this term as a backup and potential cup goalkeeper this season, he could effectively be mentored and learn from a top professional in Darlow this season, all the while appreciating his chance could come at any time if he sets his standards high. The benefits for Brynn from the signing in that sense are clear.

Darlow is a goalkeeper with plenty of experience. He ousted Belgium international Matz Sels to be first-choice in Newcastle’s Championship-winning campaign in 2016-17 and has made 52 Premier League appearances over the course of his career. At Hull last season, he impressed and proved himself capable of playing the ball out from the back as would be required at Boro, such that they are very keen to have him back.

Newcastle are keen to sell this summer too, with their desire to shift a few unneeded players this summer as they look to rebuild their squad ahead of a return to Champions League football next term, and therefore needing to comply with stricter UEFA financial fair play rules. And with Darlow keen to leave, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense as Boro seek a new number one.

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