Newcastle United are in the market for a new goalkeeper, which raises questions about Nick Pope’s role at St James’ Park.
There is no denying that the Magpies need to sign a new goalkeeper this summer. It has already been confirmed that Loris Karius is leaving the club when his contract expires. On top of that, Martin Dubravka could be sold after a poor spell in the starting lineup.
That would leave Eddie Howe with two goalkeepers – Nick Pope and Mark Gillespie. And while Gillespie is massively appreciated by Howe, he has not made a competitive appearance for the Magpies since 2020.
Newcastle absolutely need to sign a stopper this summer, but the calibre of which might shock fans.
Claims Newcastle United have bid for Giorgi Mamardashvili
Given the names that the Magpies are being linked with, it would appear that Newcastle want someone who is going to compete with and possibly replace Pope.
Aaron Ramsdale has been heavily linked, as has Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. In fact, it has been reported in Spain that the Magpies have made a £35million bid for the 23-year-old.
That is a significant outlay for a goalkeeper, and a fee of that magnitude would hint towards Mamardashvili immediately becoming first choice at St James’ Park.
But Pope has done nothing to warrant losing his place in the starting lineup, leading to questions from some Toon fans.
Newcastle fans debate Nick Pope’s future after Mamardashvili bid
Following reports of a bid for Mamardashvili, some Newcastle supporters have been pondering what this means for Pope’s future on X (formerly known as Twitter).
One fan wrote: “Be interesting to see if this is true. Only reason it can be would be the prognosis of Pope’s shoulder is very bad. I don’t see Pope accepting being 2nd choice, so we’d need 2 GK’s.”
Another fan questioned the Mamardashvili rumours, given the impact it would have on Pope: “Can’t see this being true. We’re gonna have to get another GK as Pope won’t want to be no2.”
A third Toon supporter asked an interesting question: “Obviously Mamardashvili is regarded to be a top goalkeeper, but do we really need to have this as a priority signing this season? Pope playing as a backup now really seems like it’s a luxury for us that we don’t necessarily need this season.”
Another supporter backed the bid for Mamardashvili on X, writing: “#NUFC can’t afford being as vulnerable in the GK department next season. Perfectly understandable that Giorgi Mamardashvili is on the list. Could be that there’s worries over Pope’s injury and the impact it’ll have on his future as No. 1.”
Finally, this member of the Toon Army summed it up by writing: “All this about Pope leaving… Eddie Howe wants two number 1s to push each other. Pope won’t be going anywhere unless a good offer comes in that’s too good to turn down. Also with the Valencia keeper, he’s still very young in keeper years, likely be eased in to it.”
Replacing Pope this summer would be ruthless from Newcastle
It is quite the topic of debate. From Pope’s perspective, he has done nothing wrong to justify losing his place. In fact, his position has only been strengthened by how poor Newcastle were defensively during his absence.
But that could also work against the England international. Howe cannot endure a similar situation again, and this is the second year in a row that Pope has had to undergo surgery. That will come into the manager’s thinking as he ponders buying a new goalkeeper.
Replacing Pope as number one would be ruthless, but that is exactly what a lot of Toon fans want the club to be this summer. The club needs to keep evolving, and that might mean making difficult decisions like this.
But questions over Pope’s future will only become truly important once a competitor arrives. For now, there are merely rumours from abroad that Newcastle have made a bid for Mamardashvili.
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