According to reports in the Daily Mail, Newcastle United have switched their attentions from Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to Sparta Prague's Martin Dubravka as Rafa Benitez looks to bring a new stopper to the club before the January transfer window slams shut.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Daily Mail says that after Trapp decided he was going to stay with PSG until at least the end of the season, the Magpies are now targeting Dubravka, with Benitez keen to tie up a deal for the Slovakia international in time for his side's crucial Premier League clash against bottom side Swansea City at St James' Park on Saturday.

The Daily Mail explains how Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot have rotated between the sticks so far this term, but Benitez is now keen to bring in an established number one and he has identified the 28-year-old as the perfect fit.

How has Dubravka done this season?

He has done well.

Despite having a short spell on the substitutes' bench for Sparta earlier in the campaign following his summer move from Slovan Liberec, the Slovakian stopper has since established himself as the Czech outfit's first-choice goalkeeper, and he has kept seven clean sheets and conceded 12 goals in 15 appearances in all competitions.

The 28-year-old also impressed in the latter stages of his country's World Cup qualifying campaign, although they were the unlucky team to miss out on a play-off place despite finishing second behind England in Group F.

Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?

It's difficult to say.

If Benitez and the Tyneside outfit's scouts have watched him and are impressed then you have to trust them, but it is always hard to predict how a goalkeeper will do when he arrives in the Premier League having never played in England before.

Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow have both had their bad games between the sticks this season, and if Dubravka can prove to be a little more reliable and consistent than they have been then the Magpies will be delighted as they look to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle.

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