Newcastle-linked Oblak open to Premier League transfer as Atletico Madrid goalkeeper considers future

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak would be open to a Premier League transfer this summer, with Newcastle among those rumoured to be keen on signing him.

The 29-year-old - who will be in action on Tuesday as Atletico take on Manchester United at Old Trafford - has entered the final 18 months of his contract at the Wanda Metripolitano, and could be available at a cut-price fee ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

It is understood that a move to England would be welcomed by the Slovenia international, though only to a club Oblak deems to be a potential title-challenger.

After eight years with the Spanish champions, Oblak would be open to a new challenge, and has spoken previously of his admiration of the Premier League.

"The Premier League has strong teams, maybe the strongest," Oblak, who speaks excellent English, told BBC Sport in April 2021. "I don't know what the future will bring, but I am sure that in any league I would play in I could play well.

"I have now been in Spain for seven years. Let's see. I'm still young and I still have some years in front of me. The most important thing for me is the hope that I do not have a lot of injuries, and then we'll see."

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has previously described Oblak as being "the Messi of goalkeepers", with the ex-Benfica man the reigning La Liga Player of the Season.

His form in 2021-22 has, however, been patchy, with Oblak blamed in some quarters for his positioning as Anthony Elanga scored for Manchester United when the two sides met in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

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Atleti's usually watertight defence has been anything but during their defence of the Liga title, and though an ever-changing back line has not