Newcastle United goalkeeper Matz Sels is set to be offered an escape route by Fenerbahce. 

Having only signed for the Magpies last summer, the 25-year-old has struggled to make an impact on Tyneside with a poor run of performances at the start of last season, which meant Sels immediately fell out of favour with boss Rafael Benitez. 

As a result of the Belgian's zero impact, Benitez is open to listening to offers for Sels with the Turkish club keen on a season-long loan move with a view to a permanent deal. 

Benitez has expressed his desire to recruit a new goalkeeper in this summer's transfer window as either of the Magpies' four keepers in Sels, Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot and Freddie Woodman are yet to win the complete trust of the 57-year-old. Tim Krul will return to Tyneside for pre-season following loan spells in Holland. 

Never recovered from his bad start 

Sels was the first Benitez' 12 summer signings last summer and the Spaniard made the former Gent man his number one, but it didn't go accordingly. 

Although the Belgian started the Magpies' opening nine Championship fixtures and in the process kept four clean sheets, Sels showed signs of vulnerability that became apparent to the Geordie faithful and Benitez. 

Sels looked poor at commanding his area with crosses often being left undealt with - leaving Newcastle fans with quite a few 'heart in mouth' moments. 

This was the epitome of Sels when he allowed Aaron Tshibola to head home a late equaliser for Aston Villa in September - that proved to be Sels' last league appearance for the 2016-17 campaign.  

The moment that arguably cost Sels his number one spot (Photo: GettyImages/ Serena Taylor)
The moment that arguably cost Sels his number one spot (Photo: GettyImages/ Serena Taylor)

Since that defining error at Villa Park, the Belgian would only be granted first team opportunities in cup competitions - featuring in EFL Cup ties against Preston North End and Hull City as well as FA Cup appearances against twice Birmingham City and Oxford United. 

Search for new goalkeeper 

Benitez has made Sels available for transfer as he openly continues his search for a new goalkeeper. The 57-year-old has made no secret of his intentions to bring Napoli keeper Pepe Reina to St James Park.  

Benitez is still chasing Reina's signature (Photo: GettyImages/ Velerio Pennicino)
Benitez is still chasing Reina's signature (Photo: GettyImages/ Velerio Pennicino)

The recruitment of Reina has seemingly stalled at the moment though Benitez will wait patiently for a decision from Naples and Reina with the pair having a good relationship through their time together at Liverpool. 

Benitez also knows that Krul will return from his two loan spells with Ajax and AZ Alkmaar. So if the search for a keeper is unsuccessful, Benitez may look to Krul to be his trusted number one with opinions of Darlow and Elliot undocumented. 

Unfortunately for Sels, it is clear that it won't be him who will be between the sticks when Newcastle kick-off their Premier League return at home to Tottenham Hotspur on August 12. 

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About the author
Jordan Cronin
Sports Journalist. Editor/ Writer for the Newcastle United office.