Journalist reveals price Newcastle will likely have to pay for Carl Rushworth

It was recently reported that Newcastle United have their eyes on goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.

Newcastle are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper after Nick Pope made some high-profile mistakes this season, and back-up goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale evidently hasn't done enough to impress during his loan spell this season.

James Trafford has been the long-term favourite to become Newcastle's new No 1, but two failed attempts to sign the young England stopper have made the Magpies very wary.

Therefore, they've been looking elsewhere. Newcastle have been scouring the Championship for players who look like they could make the jump up to the Premier League with little issue, and that's where they've come across 24-year-old Carl Rushworth, who has been playing for Coventry on loan from Brighton.

Newcastle may have to pay a big fee for Carl Rushworth

Newcastle already have Brighton's Bart Verbruggen in their crosshairs, so it could come down to which keeper Brighton wants to keep hold of, and after Rushworth's top-level performances for Coventry this season, there's still a good chance they could opt to keep the young stopper.

If Brighton are going to entertain bids, though, Coventry-based reporter Andy Turner has told The Chronicle what he expects it may take to liberate him from the south coast.

"They (Coventry) already tried to buy him last summer but Brighton wouldn’t entertain their bid of around £6m, valuing him at nearer £10m. After the season he has had his stock will have risen considerably and it’s understood Albion would now be looking for between £15m-£20m.

"Frank Lampard rates him very highly and the player has admitted that he loves the club and could see himself with the Sky Blues on a permanent basis. However, there are a lot of moving parts to any potential move, not least the fact that Brighton appear to hold most of the cards."

£20 million for a goalkeeper? As if!

Whether a £20 million transfer fee would be enough to put Newcastle off, we're not so sure. The club is going to have to be very savvy with its money this summer with so many positions to cover, but a top goalkeeper isn't going to come cheap.

After paying £20 million for Odysseas Vlachodimos, this could feel like a bargain. It's all about perspective.

We're not fully convinced that Rushworth will be Newcastle's priority. We can't help but feel that there are a few other options ahead of him. Trafford, Gregor Kobel and Bart Verbruggen are likely to be seen as lower risks.