Vice-chairman confirms talks over Newcastle United summer transfer

Hull City vice-chairman Tan Kesler has confirmed the Championship club are in talks with Newcastle United to sign Karl Darlow.

Tigers boss Liam Rosenior has identified the 32-year-old as one of his top targets after a successful loan spell during the second half of last season.

Middlesbrough are also among the clubs showing interest but Hull remain hopeful of securing the experienced goalkeeper’s signature.

United won’t stand in Darlow’s way of leaving but his salary at St James’ Park exceeds the average second-tier wage. Kesler mentioned this as a potential sticking point.

“I’ve been speaking with Newcastle and Karl as well,” Kesler told Hull Live. “Karl’s intention is to come and stay with us, but it’s not a secret that Middlesbrough and other clubs are interested in signing him.

“That’s due to his personality, his achievements in the past and because of that, Newcastle have given him a very good contract which is something above Championship’s affordability.

“We’re trying to be creative and find ways to bring him on board. Neither Middlesbrough nor any other club without parachute payments can afford his full wages.

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“We’re all in the mix, we would like to have him and we have spoken to him and he would like to come. Ideally, we would like to generate a creative solution both for Newcastle and us, but we’re in discussions at the moment.”

“At the moment, I can’t tell you he is coming or he’s not coming - there are other clubs interested in him. If he really wants to come like he did last season, understand what we are and be a part of it, I think he will use his judgement to make a call and be a part of us.

“If he doesn’t, we have to find another goalkeeper that can complement Matt Ingram who is also a number one goalkeeper for us.”

Darlow has made 100 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Nottingham Forest nine years ago. Spells as a first choice number one have been few and far between having largely played back up to the likes of Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope.