NEWCASTLE are close to securing their first signing of the post-Eddie Howe era.
Amid a turbulent summer on Tyneside, the Magpies are negotiating a fee with Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek according to reports.
Czech keeper Hornicek is set to replace Nick Pope on Tyneside in a £25.7m move Credit: Getty
Hornicek has played 88 times for Braga but was notably left out of their squad last night Credit: EPA
Czech shot stopper Hornicek has a £25.7m release clause at the Portuguese outfit, which Newcastle are expected to trigger.
Braga’s first choice keeper was conspicuously absent from their squad for last night’s Europa League qualifier against Železničar Pančevo.
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The Toon Army have already had a busy summer between the sticks, turning down the option to buy Aaron Ramsdale after a season-long loan, before signing 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen for £18.5m from Rennes.
Pinning down a successor to Nick Pope was a summer priority for Newcastle, who had previously failed to entice top target James Trafford to the club for the second summer running.
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Hornicek, 24, cuts a towering figure at 6ft 6ins, and arrives at St James’ Park on the back of a monumental summer.
The Czech make his international bow this May, just days after starting in a narrow Europa League semi-finals defeat.
He was an unused substitute at the World Cup.
While a multi-million pound move to the Premier League presents a major opportunity, Hornicek arrives at a club in a state of flux.
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Hornicek will form part of adjustments to life after Howe Credit: Action Images via Reuters
Eddie Howe‘s sudden and spectacular departure has sent shockwaves around St James’ Park.
The League Cup-winning coach is set to be replaced by Al-Ahli’s Matthias Jaissle in a £9.4 million move.
Alongside personnel changes at the top, Newcastle have been caught up in a transfer whirlpool this summer.
Superstars Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have left Tyneside for a combined £170 million, while Bruno Guimaraes appears on the brink of a megabucks move to Arsenal.
