Stéphane Ruffier is a French football player who currently plays as a goalkeeper for French club Saint-Étienne in Ligue 1. He previously played for Monaco from 2005–2011 serving as the first-choice goalkeeper and captain of the club. Ruffier is also a French international and made his senior debut on 11 August 2010 in a friendly match against Norway.

There was news today in French media outlet “Foot Mercato” that Newcastle United approached Ruffier’s representatives about a possible move in January.

But Ruffier has no intention of leaving St. Etienne this season and therefor his agents has responded in a negative matter over the enquiry.

Wether NUFC has contacted St. Etienne over the move has not been mentioned, but it’s likely they’ve been given access to speak to the player. If not, they’d be “tapping up”, which isn’t an accepted thing to do.

Though with Krul, Elliot, Darlow and the up and coming star Freddie Woodman, the story in its entirety seems unlikely. Despite Krul being out for the season, Elliot has done a tremendous job in goal and seems to have a positive impact on the dressing room in general.

Darlow is still waiting in the wings after being out with a minor injury and Woodman is an England GK waiting to happen.

We’d be very surprised if Newcastle United went for a new goal keeper in the January window.