Nick Pope’s future at Newcastle United remains one of the biggest questions of the club’s summer, but one rumored destination now appears to be off the table.
The uncertainty surrounding Pope ramped up after Newcastle reshaped their goalkeeping department with the arrivals of Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen. Previous reports had already indicated the Magpies are prepared to let Pope leave should a suitable offer arrive before the transfer window closes.
However, despite recent speculation, Football
Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reports that Celtic have not moved, nor plan to, for the England international.
“There’s been no contact between Celtic and Nick Pope,” O’Rourke said. “Celtic are in the market for a goalkeeper, but it’s more for a number two to Sinisalo, who has done well since he came in at the back of last season and has that number one jersey right now.”
O’Rourke added that such a decision “would make a move for Nick Pope highly unlikely.”
“I don’t think Celtic would consider bringing in a player of Pope’s experience or cost as a number two,” O’Rourke said. “I don’t think there’s any urgency from Celtic right now to bring in a new keeper, and I don’t think there’s been any sort of moves for Nick Pope in that respect either.”
That update follows an earlier report from The Shields Gazette’s Dominic Scurr, who wrote that Hornicek’s arrival is expected to see Newcastle “green light Pope’s departure” if an acceptable offer arrives. Scurr also reported that the club intends to keep fellow summer signing Ewen Jaouen at St. James’ Park rather than sending him on loan despite interest from Ligue 1 and La Liga.
Football Insider notes that Ipswich Town had previously held preliminary talks over Pope and continues to monitor the situation, while Leeds United’s interest cooled after the club landed James Trafford from Manchester City.
With one rumored destination now seemingly ruled out, it remains to be seen which club, if any, makes the first concrete move for Newcastle’s longtime No. 1 before the transfer window closes.
Do you think there is any chance Newcastle keep Nick Pope as an experienced backup, or have both parties reached a point of no return? Let us know in the comments section below.
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