Motherwell keeper Mark Gillespie is a shock target for Newcastle United.
The English Premier League club are keen to land the 28-year-old and are set to tell Well of their intention to speak to the keeper, who will be out of contract in the summer.
And that could see a surprise return to St James’ Park for the keeper, who came through the youth ranks at the Toon.
Gillespie has been targeted by Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, who wants an experienced shot-stopper to provide competition to No.1 Martin Dubravka.
His current back-up keepers, Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot, will both be out of contract at the end of the season and are likely to move away.
Former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen loan keeper Freddie Woodman will return from his loan at Swansea but Bruce is still eager to add another keeper and Gillespie is top of his list.
He and keepers’ coach Simon Smith, who worked with Gillespie as a kid, have been impressed by the way the Englishman has become one of Well’s top performers since joining on a free from Walsall in 2018.
He was offered a deal to extend his stay at Fir Park but with Well boss Stephen Robinson backing fit-again Trevor Carson as his first-choice keeper, Gillespie would jump at a dream return to Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Motherwell are set to make Mark O’Hara’s loan move from Peterborough permanent.
The former Kilmarnock and Dundee star impressed after joining on loan in September and Posh chief Barry Fry revealed a deal’s been agreed in principle.
That will see the Steelmen pay a nominal fee to get O’Hara and Fry said: “We have agreed a deal in principle.
“It’s not a done deal yet but I expect it to happen.”
