Newcastle United are looking to complete their first signing of the summer
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson (L) is set for his first big summer transfer window.
Newcastle United are hoping to kickstart their incomings this week after making a breakthrough in the transfer market.
The Magpies have been busy offloading players since the final game of the season as they revamp Eddie Howe’s squad after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign which saw them finish 12th in the Premier League table.
Anthony Gordon has been sold for an initial £69.3million plus add-ons, with the England forward completing a move to La Liga giants Barcelona. United have also finalised the transfer of youngster Travis Hernes to Dutch outfit FC Groningen and released their retained list.
The likes of Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, John Ruddy, Max Thompson and Matt Targett have all departed while the Magpies have opted against making Aaron Ramsdale’s move from Southampton a permanent one.
They have moved quickly to try and remodel their goalkeeping department, however, and one deal that is set to be sealed this week is that of goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from French Second Division side Reims with an agreement in principle already in place.
Jaouen is expected to fly to Newcastle today to finalise terms and have a medical. A four-year contract has been agreed, and the 20-year-old has been told he would be competing for the No 1 spot.
With Ruddy, Ramsdale and Thompson leaving it has cleared the decks for an incoming goalkeeper – with United looking at potentially bringing in another more senior star this summer too.
Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser, James Trafford of Manchester City, and Newcastle United’s Nick Pope
James Trafford, Robin Risser and Bart Verbruggen all featuring on the Magpies’ radar as the shake-up of the goalkeeping department continues, which could see the exit of No 1 Nick Pope.
The arrival of a second shot-stopper would leave Pope in limbo, potentially relegated to No 3 in the pecking order. With United needing to bring in additional revenue, it’s likely they would be open to offers for the 34-year-old, who will feel he still has plenty to offer at the top level.
Ipswich Town and Leeds United have both been linked with a move for the veteran who has made 131 appearances for Newcastle and kept an impressive 45 clean sheets. Pope is a boyhood Ipswich fan, and is understood to be keen on finishing his career at the Tractor Boys, with talk of a £5million deal.
However, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has yet to give the move the green light. McKenna likes his side to build from the back with the goalkeeper’s ability with his feet a pivotal part of that, and Pope’s weakness is in this area.
Should Pope leave, he could be followed by Odysseas Vlachodimos, with the Greek international returning to Tyneside following the end of his loan spell at Spanish side Sevilla. Newcastle have yet to hold talks with the player or his representatives but he is expected to be told he has no future at the club.
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