Howe could finally deliver on big Jan promise by signing £50m gem who can "read minds" - opinion

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in signing Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga.

According to the Daily Star, the Magpies are keen on a swoop for the Spain international at the end of the current campaign as PIF plot their moves for the summer window.

The report claims that the Blues are willing to part ways with the goalkeeper for a fee in the region of £50m, having paid £72m for him in 2018 – a world-record fee for his position.

Eddie Howe can finally deliver on his big January promise to improve his number one by sealing a mega deal to land the ex-Athletic Bilbao gem.

The Magpies gaffer reportedly wanted to sign Dean Henderson last month as he was unconvinced by current first-choice Martin Dubravka, but a move failed to materialise in the end.

Howe now has the opportunity to right that wrong and bring in a new goalkeeper to take over the gloves at St. James’ Park by securing Kepa’s services.

As per FBRef, Kepa ranks higher than Dubravka in eight of their 13 statistical categories used to evaluate goalkeeper performances over the past 365 days. The Spaniard is ahead of the Slovakian when it comes to sweeping outside of his box and preventing goals from high Expected Goals, which suggests that he is better at coming out of his area and at saving shots.

Kepa also appears to be the better option when it comes to passing out from the back. He has a career average pass completion rate of 75.3% compared to Dubravka’s 55.8%. This suggests that the Chelsea man would be far more suited to Howe’s desire to play out from the back with the ball as he is more reliable in possession, which could help the Magpies to build more attacks after winning the ball back in their own third.

The Spaniard is also five years