Burnley are prepared to double their goalkeeper Nick Pope’s current wages to keep him at the club for the immediate future amidst interest from Newcastle United. According to recent reports, the Clarets keeper will be handed a new £30,000-a-week contract which will double his current weekly wages of £15,000-a-week.
The Clarets initially signed Pope as a cover for Tom Heaton. However, his form this season has been sensational, to say the least, which is why the club wants to quickly make him sign a new contract which will secure his long-term future at Turf Moor. The Magpies has recently shown interest in signing Pope ahead of the summer transfer window which opens at the end of the season.
Newcastle has the likes of Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot vying for a place in Rafael Benitez’s first-team. However, the Spanish manager might be on the lookout for a veteran keeper this summer who can take up the goalkeeping duties at the club for years to come.
Pope has featured in 30 matches for Burnley this season, conceding just 28 goals while keeping 12 clean sheets in all competitions. With Newcastle United set to miss out on Pope, let’s take a look at three alternative goalkeeping options which the Magpies can consider in the off-season.
Matthew Ryan
The Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper has put in some impressive performances during the course of this season. The Australia international has conceded 40 goals in 30 league matches this season while keeping 8 clean sheets. He is exactly the kind of keeper that Newcastle United are looking for and could flourish at Tyneside if given the opportunity to showcase his talents.
Jiri Pavlenka
The SV Werder Bremen keeper has also been in a rich vein of form this season. He has made 31 appearances for the Bundesliga club, conceding 38 goals while keeping 9 shut-outs in all competitions. At 25, he still has his peak years ahead of him which the Magpies could look to utilise in the coming years.
Simon Mignolet
The Belgian keeper started the season as Liverpool’s number one keeper but has recently lost his place to Loris Karius. It is expected that the Reds will look to part ways with him in the summer and Newcastle United could offer him an escape route by opting for his services. He has a wealth of Premier League experience and will be an ideal fit under Rafael Benitez at Tyneside. The 29-year-old shot stopper has made 22 appearances for the Reds this season, conceding 30 goals while keeping 7 clean sheets in all competitions.
