Newcastle United are reportedly keeping tabs on long-serving Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as their search for a new number one continues.

What's the word?

According to talkSPORT, the Magpies are 'tracking' the Dane's ongoing situation at the King Power Stadium, with the 35-year-old yet to discuss an extension on his current deal, which expires next summer.

Although talks are planned between the player and the Foxes once the season concludes, Eddie Howe's side are seemingly hopeful of being able to tempt him into a switch to join the ambitious project at St James' Park.

However, the report does suggest that the 2016 Premier League title winner is 'open to a move abroad', while he also has the desire to play regularly for a side competing in Europe - something which neither Newcastle nor Leicester can offer next term.

Huge upgrade

A new goalkeeper appears to be on the shopping list for PIF this summer, with the club seemingly eyeing a much-needed upgrade on their current options Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka.

While the latter has been first-choice for much of this season, both injury and loss of form have seen him reduced to just 24 Premier League outings, with both Darlow and current Bournemouth loanee Freddie Woodman also earning a chance between the sticks this term.

Having a settled goalkeeper is a necessity for any team looking to compete higher up the table, with it unlikely that Howe will wish to be chopping and changing his starting netminder next term.

In Schmeichel, the Tyneside club have identified a player with a wealth of experience, having made 282 Premier League appearances thus far in his lengthy career. The 80-cap Denmark international is also likely to be an invaluable dressing room presence, having been dubbed a "leader" by journalist Jonas Alexander Nohr-Larsen.

Not just an experienced head, the one-time Manchester City 'keeper has continued to impress on the pitch, currently ranking in the top 20 on the all-time Premier League list for clean sheets with 82 shutouts, seven of which have come this season.

Amid a tricky season for Rodgers' Leicester, the £130k-per-week Dane has remained a consistent presence, averaging a 6.92 Sofascore match rating, the seventh-best among his teammates. He has also made the third-most saves in the top flight (124) behind David De Gea and Illan Meslier and kept out two of his eight penalties faced.

The 35-year-old has a WhoScored rating of 6.73 for the season, which exceeds that of both Dubravka (6.62) and Darlow (6.22), so it's hard to argue that the Foxes veteran wouldn't be an upgrade on Howe's current options.

With Newcastle shipping the fourth-most goals in the Premier League this term (61), a new goalkeeping addition is no doubt a necessity, with Schmeichel an ideal candidate to make an instant improvement.

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