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The future of Freddie Woodman is up for debate this summer.

We maybe five months away from the end of the campaign but it is clear that Swansea City already have one eye on their transfer plans for next season.

Key to that will be the goalkeeping situation in SA1. Kristoffer Nordfeldt has already left the club this month, Erwin Mulder is out of contract and Woodman, so impressive over the course of this term, is due to return to Newcastle United.

But not if Swansea head coach Steve Cooper has his way.

"We'd all love Freddie to stay for longer than the season," Cooper said at last week's fans' forum.

"Whether that's possible, we'll have a look in the summer. I think he'd definitely like to.

"The affection the fans have shown Freddie, I think he really feels it and likes to show it back because it's mutual."

It seems that the wheels are already in motion.

Woodman's deal at St James' Park runs until 2021, but he has rejected previous offers of a contract extension over concerns about game-time in the north east.

Fellow Toon shot-stoppers Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot are both coming to the end of their deals on Tyneside, meaning there will be a reshuffle under Steve Bruce this summer.

No.1 Martin Dubravka has been impressive in his own right, meaning Woodman would likely return to Newcastle to sit on the bench.

And if takeover talk at Newcastle comes to fruition, Woodman could be facing an uncertain future all together.

Former Leeds United keeper and pundit Paul Robinson spoke earlier this month about the youngster's future. He told Football Insider: "He’s not going to want to be number two.

“He’s been away, got the experience of playing and got a taste of playing so he isn’t going to want to sit on the bench and be a number two, which he will be due to the form of Dubravka.

“Dubravka is a top goalkeeper, and if/when he comes back to Newcastle he won’t go straight into the starting XI, so that’s something for the manager and player to deal with.

“Whether he moves on or not, it’s looking more and more likely that he will.”

He is likely to cost a pretty penny in terms of a permanent transfer, with Everton and Tottenham also monitoring his performances in South Wales.

But if the Premier League duo were to follow up interest with an offer and subsequent transfer, neither could offer the game-time Woodman would no doubt want (and need) to develop. Obviously their financial strength would out-muscle Swansea, but some things are more influential than money.

There could be another solution; a further one-year loan deal to keep him in Landore would suit all parties, while disappointing chiefs at Goodison Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

If Woodman were to remain in South Wales, he would play week in, week out in an environment he knows and clearly thrives in. You only have to look at his post-match celebrations in front of the East Stand at the Liberty to recognise his affinity with supporters.

It would mean Newcastle would retain a highly-promising keeper with England potential stamped all over him, while also giving him the minutes and responsibility he craves.

A loan would suit Swansea chiefs too, who purse strings are still pulled tight following top-flight relegation. It would also allow Steven Benda to come back to Fairwood and learn his trade as a Championship No.2 for a season. Swansea clearly have high hopes for the keeper who has spent this season on loan with Swindon.

"Steven Benda is getting really good game-time at Swindon who are doing well. He's getting priceless experience really," added the head coach.

"He'll definitely fall back into our first-team squad next season. Whether it's as number one or two remains to be seen, but we actually spoke about that the other day with Martyn Margetson.

"If Freddie is with us or not, we've definitely got a really good young goalkeeper in Steven and hopefully we can maximise that with him next season."

Swansea have improved markedly at the back this season; set-pieces, so often their Achilles heel in campaigns gone by, are now no longer panic-inducing moments. It is making a real difference, and Woodman has been key to it.

If Cooper's side make the play-offs and successfully navigate a way to the Premier League (unlikely, but still plausible), a permanent deal could be on the table.

But for now - or more accurately the summer - another year's stay for Woodman in Swansea would tick a lot of boxes for the parties involved.