Heart of Midlothian are trying to sign Newcastle United’s young goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on a season-long loan deal.
The 20-year-old has made four substitute appearances during United’s pre-season campaign this summer and wants to spend the season away from St James’ Park in order to get more first-team experience.
Woodman has made just 26 senior appearances during stints at Kilmarnock and Crawley and knows the next step of his career will be a crucial one.
Sources at Tynecastle say that the Scottish Premiership side are waiting for an answer back from Newcastle on their loan bid and Hearts are even ready to hand Woodman a debut away to Celtic next Saturday.
United have tried to sign a host of goalkeepers this summer but missed out on the likes of Willy Caballero and Joe Hart, meaning that Woodman has stayed on at United.
Hearts aren’t the only side interested in signing Woodman with Bury and Northampton Town also keen offer him a loan deal in League One.
Woodman won the goalkeeper of the tournament award at the Under-20 World Cup and, with many of his England team-mates also going out on loan, he is eager to play first-team football next season.