Reading transfer news: Jaap Stam hoping to land Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow for £5m this summer

READING hope to land Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow for £5million.

Darlow, 26, was part of Rafa Benitez’s promotion-winning team last term but faces a fight for his place this season.

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Reuters

Benitez still has Tim Krul, Rob Elliot and England under-20s star Freddie Woodman in the keeper ranks at the club.

And Reading are looking for a new stopper as Ali Al-Habsi is set to move to the Middle East.

The Oman international, 35, is wanted by Saudi club Al-Hilal after two years with the Royals.

Woodman’s World Cup heroics have pointed to a big future in the game as the Young Lions put in a series of mature performances.

He scooped the Golden Glove award for his displays which included a crucial penalty save in the 1-0 win over Venezuela in the final.

Benitez has made Christian Atsu’s loan deal permanent this summer after the Chelsea loanee helped inspire his promotion bid.

AP:Associated Press

EPA

And ex-Manchester City defender Florian Lejeune has also arrived at St James’ Park to bolster Toon’s back line.

The Frenchman revealed the Spanish boss was a big factor behind his move.

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Lejeune, 26, said: "When you have a manager like Rafa Benitez who wants you, you are very happy to come."

Benitez added: "If he settles well into English football then I am sure he will be a success and will give us a lot of competition in this area."

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