Newcastle follow Man City and Manchester United template to open door to possible Celtic transfer

Newcastle United's goalkeeping department is going to have a completely new feel this season after the arrivals of two new goalkeepers on Monday.

The Magpies announced the signing of Greek international goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest overnight and have since backed that up with the arrival of former England international goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Newcastle have tracked Vlachodimos since his days playing in Portugal for Benfica and he has made the move to St James' Park after one season at Forest where he largely played second fiddle to both Matt Turner and Matz Sels.

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Meanwhile, Ruddy arrives on a free transfer having spent last season at Championship side Birmingham City. He made 44 appearances last term but could not prevent the Blues from being relegated to League One.

However, the 37-year-old brings with him a wealth of Premier League experience during spells at Everton, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers and has one England cap to his name, too.

Like Man City have done with veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson and Manchester United have done with Tom Heaton, Newcastle have brought in an experienced international goalkeeper, with an excellent character, to help drive standards both on and off the pitch.

Their arrivals bring to an end any immediate interest in Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has starred at EURO 2024 this summer, and England under-21 international goalkeeper James Trafford.

Chronicle Live understands Burnley rejected an offer for Trafford from Newcastle and it appears United were not willing to pay the Clarets' asking price once a move for Vlachodimos became available.

It means Newcastle will likely start the season with four goalkeepers. Nick Pope will remain as the club's undisputed number one, with Vlachodimos becoming United's second choice goalkeeper.

Ruddy and fourth choice goalkeeper Mark Gillespie will compete with the pair, with their roles away from the pitch in driving training standards and maintaining a positive culture at the club an important part of Eddie Howe's plans to ensure Newcastle qualify for European football next term.

That means it is almost certain that Martin Dubravka will now leave Newcastle this summer in the search of regular first team football. Dubravka joined Newcastle back in January 2018 and was the club's number one goalkeeper for four-and-a-half seasons.

The arrival of Pope two years ago saw Dubravka demoted to the club's second choice goalkeeper, while he also had a six month loan spell at Manchester United.

The 35-year-old started all four matches for Slovakia at EURO 2024 before their dramatic defeat to England in Sunday's last 16 clash in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

He will return to Tyneside knowing there is a lot of interest in his services. Chronicle Live understands clubs from Germany and Saudi Arabia are interested in the former Sparta Prague goalkeeper, while Scottish champions Celtic are also said to be keen on a move.

The Bhoys are in the market for a new goalkeeper to compete with Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist after former England international goalkeeper Joe Hart retired after three years at Celtic Park. A move for Dubravka would certainly benefit all three parties.