Manchester United Consider Shock Move for Nick Pope as Andre Onana Replacement if Newcastle Signs Aaron Ramsdale
He'd stand in for Onana and also provide competition for the No.1 spot
Manchester United are weighing up a potential summer swoop for Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope. The 33-year-old has been a reliable presence for the Magpies since joining from Burnley and he has been zeroed by the Old Trafford hierarchy to provide competition to an inconsistent Andre Onana.
Onana has come under increasing scrutiny after several errors in goal since joining the Red Devils. United boss Ruben Amorim has previously turned to second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir in moments of doubt, but the Turkiye international failed to make a convincing case for regular starts. With that in mind, the Red Devils are believed to be considering more experienced alternatives.
According to talkSPORT, United have set their sights on Pope as his contract is due to expire next summer, making him an attractive option in financial terms. The relatively low cost to acquire the veteran keeper, reportedly between £10-£15 million ($13-$20m), falls well within their current budgetary limitations, Football Insider claimed.
Newcastle had set their sights on Burnley’s James Trafford as a long-term solution between the sticks. The 22-year-old was seen as a key target by manager Eddie Howe, but hopes of securing his signature were recently dashed when Manchester City triggered a £27m ($36m) buy-back clause to reclaim the young goalkeeper. With that avenue closed, Howe has turned his attention to Aaron Ramsdale, currently on the books at Southampton, following a departure from Arsenal last year. This shift in focus could result in Pope being replaced as Newcastle’s primary goalkeeper, placing his future at the club in doubt.
