Newcastle United’s attempt to overhaul its goalkeeping department appears likely to leave the club with one expensive loose end beyond the Sept. 1 transfer deadline.
The Magpies spent heavily on Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen this summer, paying approximately £25.7 million (€29.8 million) and £18.5 million (€21.5 million), respectively. Those arrivals pushed former No. 1 Nick Pope down the hierarchy, with Matthias Jaissle previously confirming he had spoken directly to the veteran about his situation.
Despite Newcastle’s attempts to find Pope a new club, The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope reported on Wednesday that the 34-year-old is now expected to remain at St. James’ Park.
“Nick Pope will be staying at Newcastle beyond the transfer window, as it stands,” Hope reported.
The problem is apparently not a lack of willingness from Newcastle to facilitate a departure but rather the absence of a realistic destination for Pope. Previous links included Celtic, Leeds United and Ipswich Town, but none has developed into a move.
“We are told that the goalkeeping slots at viable suitors are all taken at this present time and, barring injury to those keepers or an unexpected approach over the weekend, the 34-year-old will remain at St James’ Park entering the final year of his contract,” Hope reported.
The situation surely represents a frustrating outcome for Newcastle, because Pope is not merely facing competition for his old starting position. According to Hope, the veteran has explicitly been informed that he is Jaissle’s third-choice goalkeeper.
“Newcastle are still trying to find a solution given Pope has been told he would be third choice, but time is running out,” Hope reported.
Pope had previously indicated through reports that he was prepared to stay and fight for his place, but the hierarchy appears significantly clearer now. Newcastle invested more than £44 million (€51 million) combined in Hornicek and Jaouen, while Pope is entering the final year of his contract.
That leaves the Magpies potentially carrying the salary of an experienced, high-earning goalkeeper who has no realistic route to regular minutes unless injuries dramatically alter Jaissle’s plans.
With a few days left before the market shuts, there is still time for an unexpected opportunity to emerge before the transfer deadline, and Hope left that possibility open. As things stand, though, Newcastle’s attempts to move Pope have failed and seem to remain that way, leaving the club facing an awkward and potentially costly final season with its former No. 1.
Would you be happy keeping Pope around as experienced insurance, or should Newcastle make every effort to find him a late exit regardless of the fee? Let us know in the comments below.
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