‘Vital’ Newcastle star is now being lined up for a surprise move in January with replacement already targeted

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Newcastle United kept a hold of most of their key players over the course of the summer transfer window.

While it would of course have been nice to see Newcastle actually go out and strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad, it at least wasn’t significantly weakened.

Keeping all of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon is obviously a huge boost for the club. Kieran Trippier, who the Newcastle United manager has always praised, is also seemingly staying at St James’ Park.

For the next few months at least, Howe can knuckle down and try to get the most out of one of the most expensive squads in the world.

Still, at some point, the transfer window will open again and the links are already starting.

Nick Pope, hailed as “vital” by Howe, is the latest surprise name being touted for an exit.

Nick Pope linked with shock Newcastle exit

Despite impressing this season after returning from injury, Pope’s future has been cast into doubt following a report from The Sun.

They suggest Everton are lining up a move for the goalkeeper, with Sean Dyche having worked with Pope at Burnley.

Dyche is said to be unhappy with current Toffees stopper Jordan Pickford’s performances (which if Pope were not involved in the story would no doubt delight Newcastle fans) and frequently talks about how well Pope did for him at Turf Moor.

The report claims Pope could be available in January, with Newcastle in fact keen to sign Burnley’s James Trafford as their long-term No.1.

Nick Pope is surely not going to leave Newcastle anytime soon

Howe was said to have been “crestfallen” about Pope’s shoulder injury back in December which pretty much ruled him out for the rest of the season.

With that in mind, it’s incredibly unlikely to imagine the Newcastle boss sanctioning the exit of such a key player halfway through a season unless a ridiculous offer were to emerge.