Brighton & Hove Albion face a major decision over Carl Rushworth after Newcastle United reportedly opened talks to sign the goalkeeper.
Rushworth returned to the Amex following an impressive loan spell with Coventry City, helping Frank Lampard’s side win the Championship title.
The 25-year-old played all 46 league matches as Coventry secured promotion. He kept 17 clean sheets and conceded 45 goals across the campaign.
Coventry want to sign him permanently and have reportedly seen two offers worth more than £20million rejected.
However, Newcastle have now entered discussions as Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his goalkeeping department.
According to a Daily Mail report relayed by Yahoo Sports, the Magpies are exploring whether a deal can be reached with Brighton.
Brighton must settle Rushworth’s future
Rushworth has yet to make a competitive senior appearance for Brighton despite joining the club in 2019.
Successive loans with Walsall, Lincoln City, Swansea City, Hull City and Coventry have allowed him to gain extensive first-team experience.
His Brighton contract runs until June 2027, although the Seagulls hold an option to extend it by another year.
Fabian Hürzeler already has Bart Verbruggen and Jason Steele in his squad. Verbruggen remains the established first-choice goalkeeper but continues to attract interest from Bayern Munich.
Rushworth is understood to want regular senior football after becoming a key player at Coventry.
Brighton’s rejection of offers above £20million suggests they either value him significantly higher or have not ruled out integrating him into Hürzeler’s squad.
Newcastle are also monitoring other goalkeepers, including Manchester City’s James Trafford, so talks over Rushworth may not automatically lead to a formal bid.
The growing interest still leaves Brighton with an important call. They can sell an academy-developed asset for a sizeable profit, or offer Rushworth the pathway required to remain on the south coast.
