Newcastle United transfer news: Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle, Hatem Ben Arfa and Tim Krul latest

The Magpies today confirmed the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels on a five-year deal from Gent.

Sels has signed for around £4.5million, and Rafa Benitez revealed just why he’s brought the Belgian Under-21 star to Newcastle despite having FOUR goalkeepers already on his books.

Here’s what Benitez had to say.

Sels’ move is set to be just the first transfer of the week for Benitez, however. The Magpies manager wants another three or four players in quickly, with the squad reporting back for pre-season training on Friday.

Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie has been linked with a move to Tyneside, and the odds on him joining Newcastle tumbled this morning to 1/3 with Sky Bet.

Ritchie is understood to be keen on moving to Tyneside and could be a replacement for Andros Townsend, who is a target for former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, now at Crystal Palace.

The Eagles look set to activate the winger’s release clause today with a £13million bid, leaving Townsend with a decision to make on whether he stays with Newcastle or returns to the Premier League.

Moving in the opposite direction, however, could be Palace striker Dwight Gayle.

The Gazette understands there has been contact between Newcastle and the player’s camp, with Gayle available for around £10million.

The pacy frontman has fallen down the pecking order at Palace, and is believed to be travelling to Tyneside today for a medical.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa is on the move – and could be coming back to the Premier League. All the latest on his future – and that of Toon loan flop Seydou Doumbia – can be found here.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough have been strongly linked today with Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, who is also interesting Everton.

Sels’ arrival has cast doubt on Krul’s Newcastle future, as explained here.