Newcastle United are ‘likely’ to try and replace £4m player this summer

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Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans could include a new goalkeeper.

The Magpies currently have Martin Dubravka in between the sticks, with the 35-year-old becoming a regular starter again at Newcastle United due to Nick Pope’s injury.

But the Slovakian has often struggled since his return to the side, with the Toon defence suddenly nowhere near as solid as it was last season.

While he has enjoyed some bright moments, including the recent FA Cup win over Blackburn Rovers, the bad outweighs the good. Dubravka is no longer at the level Newcastle require, and that was evident during Monday night’s 3-2 loss away to Chelsea.

Toon fan are desperate to see Nick Pope back to full fitness, but he is not due to return until next month.

In the meantime, Eddie Howe will have to continue putting his faith in Dubravka, but that might not be the case next season.

Newcastle could look to sign a new goalkeeper

That is because the Athletic’s Chris Waugh believes it is likely that Newcastle will target a new goalkeeper during the summer transfer window to replace Dubravka. He has been speaking about the Magpies’ goalkeeper situation on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne.

“I think it’s likely they will be looking for a goalkeeper,” he said.

“What will be interesting in that sense is that I know part of Newcastle’s idea, in terms of recruitment, is that you bring in a player who is of the equivalence, if not better, than the players in your current first XI. Therefore, the quality of your squad grows because of that. If someone comes in and knocks a current player out of the first XI, then your squad itself is growing and improving because of that.

“Is that someone they think could be a successor to Nick Pope? Is it someone who’s of an equivalence o Nick Pope? Do they have the Arsenal situation where Raya becomes the keeper [ahead of Ramsdale], are they going to do something like that?

“They have been heavily linked with Aaron Ramsdale. There’s obviously Bournemouth links there with Eddie Howe signing him previously. I don’t know if that one is true or not.

“I think that Martin Dubravka hasn’t convinced enough people inside the club that he is the long-term option. I’d be surprised if Newcastle don’t look for another goalkeeper this summer.”

Summer of change in goal at Newcastle

Newcastle have a great first choice goalkeeper in Pope. When he is fit, there is not too much to worry about. But the concern arises when he is unavailable, and that is something the club could look to address at the end of the season.

Waugh has suggested that whoever does arrive will be of the same calibre of Pope, or have the potential to reach that level. Either way, that does not sound like it will be a cheap deal.

As for Dubravka, you have to imagine he will be keen to keep playing regularly, but that is not going to happen at St James’ Park. Therefore, you have to imagine there is a chance that the £4million man seeks a move away. If that happens then Newcastle will desperately need to sign a goalkeeper.

Combine this situation with the fact that Mark Gillespie and Loris Karius’ contracts are expiring, and suddenly Newcastle could have a bit of a goalkeeping crisis on their hands.