Two Ideal Destinations For Tim Krul To Consider Moving To In The Summer
Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul finds himself in a sticky situation at the club. The Dutchman, who spent last season away on loan with Dutch Eredivisie sides AFC Ajax and AZ Alkmaar, joined up with the rest of the squad for the pre-season. But manager Rafael Benitez has excluded the 29-year old from the club’s training camp in Ireland, casting huge doubts over his future.
Krul has been with the Magpies for close to twelve years now, having joined as a teenager from ADO Den Haag back in 2005. The Netherlands international last featured for the club back in December 2015, following which an anterior cruciate ligament injury kept him out of action. He has made 160 league appearances for the Toon, but with just one year left on his current contract, it is hard to see him stay at the St. James’ Park beyond this summer. More so, with Benitez keen on bringing in a new custodian.
With Krul likely to be sold in the summer, here are two ideal destinations that he should consider moving to.
Watford
The Hornets have begun a major shakeup of things under new manager Marco Silva and have made some inroads in the transfer market already.
They recently signed goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann from Stoke City, but the 23-year old is unlikely to challenge Heurelho Gomes for the No.1 spot immediately. And with the Brazilian lacking consistency and getting older by the day, Silva should look at Krul as a potential option.
The 29-year old will bring years of top level experience to the fold, which will be a major boost for the club and few would disagree that he will be a major upgrade on Gomes and can easily displace their current No.1 stopper from the starting line-up. From the player’s perspective too, if he joins Watford, he will get a chance to continue playing in the Premier League, making it a win-win for both parties.
Anderlecht
The Belgian champions were reported to be interested in the Dutch international last month, according to the Mirror (via Chronicle Live) and that is another destination that he could consider. Anderlecht are in the market for a new ‘keeper following a serious injury to their senior goalkeeper Frank Boeckx, leaving them short on options between the sticks ahead of the new season.
Krul, if he signs for the Brussels based outfit, will get a chance to challenge for trophies – something he has never done at Newcastle United. He will be playing in the UEFA Champions League on a regular basis as well, considering Anderlecht’s dominance in the Belgian Jupiler League – again something that he never experienced at the St. James’ Park, making Anderlecht an ideal club for him to consider moving to.