NEWCASTLE is contemplating a surprising move to enlist David de Gea as a replacement for the sidelined goalkeeper Nick Pope.
However, Arsenal has firmly cautioned Newcastle manager Eddie Howe against pursuing a January acquisition of the out-of-favor Aaron Ramsdale.
Pope faces a lengthy absence of FIVE MONTHS following a shoulder dislocation in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United.
We're now on WhatsApp. Click here to join.
The Magpies are deliberating on a potential move for former Manchester United goalkeeper and current free agent De Gea, who has been without a club since parting ways with United in the summer at the age of 33.
Read Also: Referee Controversy Dominates Headlines as Haaland Expresses Post-Game Fury ‘WTF’ after Spurs draw
Pope’s extended absence adds to the series of setbacks for Howe’s injury-plagued team.
Although the joint was promptly realigned, Pope is set to undergo surgery, consigning him to the sidelines for approximately five months and creating a tight race for his potential return later in the season.
Newcastle’s current second-choice goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka, will be given an opportunity to prove himself before Eddie Howe makes a decision on whether to bring in a replacement.
Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsdale, 25, is also being considered as an option, having lost his starting position at Arsenal to David Raya. However, a January transfer for Ramsdale could come at a hefty cost, exceeding £40 million.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has emphatically declared his satisfaction with having two excellent goalkeepers, affirming that Aaron Ramsdale is not available for transfer.
Arteta stated, “I am very happy to have two very good keepers and Aaron is staying with us. I want him with us. Like every other player, he wants to play for Arsenal, and we want to be better as a team, so we want to add to what we already have in January, and that is our intention.”
Despite Arteta’s stance, Ramsdale has received a warning from England manager Gareth Southgate, who indicated that the goalkeeper’s spot in the squad for the upcoming European Championships could be in jeopardy if he does not secure regular first-team football.
Arteta has disclosed, “I’ve discussed the England situation with Aaron, and I don’t anticipate it becoming an issue. It’s not as if he has had a substantial number of starts for England, so hopefully, we can aid his improvement here at Arsenal, enabling him to represent his country.”
Ramsdale, who was a £30 million acquisition from Sheffield United in 2021, inked a new four-year contract with Emirates in May.
Despite this, he has only made one Premier League appearance in the last three months and has remained on the bench for all of Arsenal’s Champions League fixtures.
De Gea, who enjoyed a 12-year stint at Manchester United and secured the Premier League’s Golden Glove award last season, departed after not being offered a new contract.
He was succeeded at Old Trafford by Andre Onana. Despite his impressive record, no club has expressed interest in the Spanish goalkeeper since his last appearance in the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City in June.
Martin Dubravka, who served as Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper for three and a half years, found himself relegated to second fiddle when Pope joined from Burnley for £10 million in 2022.
Interestingly, Dubravka played as the backup to De Gea during his loan spell at Old Trafford last season.
