Newcastle United offered 6ft 4in ex-England international goalkeeper as Karius replacement

Newcastle United have been offered the chance to sign former England international John Ruddy to bolster their goalkeeper ranks.

Now 37, Ruddy is looking for a new club ahead of a potential free transfer exit from Birmingham City this summer. Ruddy actually appeared regularly for Birmingham in the Championship last season after making 46 appearances.

Newcastle have also been linked with a move for soon to be out of contract stopper for ex-Bosnia and Chelsea keeper Asmir Begović this weekend. Begovic is due to leave Queens Park Rangers at the end of his contract at Loftus Road but the story was played down by the club this afternoon.

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The former Everton and Norwich City shot-stopper who stands at 6ft 4in and has over 500 league games to his name could leave the second city this summer. Birmingham were relegated to League One last season and his future is uncertain.

But his representatives are eyeing a new club for the St Ives-born keeper with Ruddy linked with Blackburn and Charlton Athletic this summer. Newcastle are in discussions with Burnley to bring in James Trafford to compete with Nick Pope for the number 1 spot.

Martin Dubravka could leave this summer after links with Celtic and admitted he was becoming tired of speculation over his future on Tyneside. After Lois Karius departed on a free transfer, Newcastle will need a third goalkeeper to compete in Eddie Howe's squad.

Mark Gillespie has signed a new contract but the former Carlisle goalie spent last season as a number 4 and was deemed a player to keep standards high on a day to day basis.

Speaking about his Birmingham future, with his current deal on the brink of expiring, Ruddy said on the Fozcast recently: "When they get the manager sorted we will see what happens. Hopefully, there’ll be a couple more conversations but I’ve had conversations with other clubs as well. It’s just a matter of keeping your options open and seeing what comes about."

Ruddy says his family is based in Norwich but accepts he has to travel in the latter stages of his career. The keeper said: "I’ve maybe got a couple of years left playing so if something weird and wonderful comes up on the other side of the country, it’s something we would have to think about. I’ve lived away from home effectively for eight years so it’s difficult because you’re missing out on so much, but you are doing it for the greater good. Their life in Norwich is where we wanted it to be when we first had kids.

“If I have to travel, I will travel. The problem is there’s not that many clubs close to Norwich either!"