Tim Krul to sign new Newcastle United contract?

Newcastle United keeper Tim Krul will reportedly be offered a new contract with the club before being sent out on loan to Eredivisie side Ajax.

The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Magpies and while manager Rafael Benitez is happy to let him leave on loan this season, he is keen to tie him down to a new deal to avoid losing him on a free in the summer.

Krul has been out of action since suffering a knee injury last October and is now close to fitness again, although he finds himself behind Matz Sels and Karl Darlow in the pecking order following Newcastle's relegation to the Championship at the end of last season.

According to ESPN, the Netherlands international is being eyed by Eredivisie runners-up Ajax as a replacement for Jasper Cillessen, who is likely to move to Barcelona after Claudio Bravo completes a £17m switch to Manchester City.

Netherlands international Krul has been with Newcastle since 2005, making 157 Premier League appearances in six seasons with the senior side.