According to reports in The Mirror, Newcastle United face competition from north-east rivals Middlesbrough in the race to sign West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, despite being the Irons’ first-choice stopper for half of last season, The Mirror says the 30-year-old looks to be on his way out of the London Stadium this summer after the club signed Joe Hart on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City, while fellow keeper Adrian penned a two-year extension to his contract.

The Mirror adds that the Republic of Ireland international could be available for just £2.5m, which has caught the attentions of both the Magpies and Boro.

Toon boss Rafa Benitez is keen to bring in a new number one and he could hold the advantage by being able to offer Premier League football and the report adds that he has missed out on deals for Manchester City’s Willy Caballero – who joined Chelsea – and Napoli’s Pepe Reina, whom he bought for both Liverpool and the Italian giants.

However, Garry Monk is desperate to bring him to the Riverside Stadium having lost last term’s first-choice and back-up goalkeepers – Victor Valdes and Brad Guzan – following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

How did Randolph do last season?

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Prior to last term, the 30-year-old had made just seven Premier League appearances in his career but he more than tripled that throughout the previous campaign.

Despite starting behind Adrian at the start of the season, a costly mistake against Stoke City saw the Spaniard dropped from the side and Randolph was promoted to first-choice goalkeeper.

The Republic of Ireland international put in some impressive performances and made some spectacular saves – including one from a Jordan Henderson shot for Liverpool – but he was dropped in April following a 2-2 draw against Sunderland.

Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?

It’s difficult to say.

It seems as though Benitez wants an experienced goalkeeper to be his first-choice next season after the links with Caballero and Reina, but with just 29 Premier League appearances to his name it’s hard to see how Randolph would be much of a step up from the likes of Karl Darlow or Rob Elliot, even if he is available for a good fee.

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