Premier League club strike £5m deal as Newcastle United watch on
Ipswich Town have shown interest in Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Ipswich Town are on the verge of signing a goalkeeper after being heavily linked with a move for Newcastle United’s Nick Pope.
Pope was in talks to join Ipswich at the beginning of last month but Kieran McKenna’s surprise departure as manager put any potential transfer on hold.
Ipswich, who have since appointed former Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil as McKenna’s successor, have maintained an interest but at the moment are finalising a deal for another goalkeeper.
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Ipswich Town agree goalkeeper deal amid Nick Pope interest
It’s understood the Premier League newcomers have agreed a £5million deal to sign 22-year-old Kayne van Oevelen from Dutch side FC Volendam.
Van Oevelen, who made 32 appearances in Eredivisie last season, had been close to joining Valencia after agreeing a five-year contract, but failure to agree a fee has seen the Tractor Boys win the race.
How this affects Ipswich’s interest in Pope remains to be seen. It has been suggested that van Oevelen is being signed with one eye on the future, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Nick Pope’s future at Newcastle United
Newcastle are open to selling Pope this summer, with the 34-year-old into the final year of his contract.
The 10-capped England international joined from Burnley in 2022, helping United to end their 56-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and twice qualify for the Champions League.
However, last season was a difficult one for Pope following a series of high-profile errors.
The Magpies have signed Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims for £18million but the 20-year-old has been told he is the second-choice goalkeeper next season. But who he will be working under is still up in the air.
Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford is on Newcastle’s radar for a third successive summer, but it is a difficult deal to do.
Eddie Howe’s squad is going through a rebuild this summer following the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, as well as a shift in transfer policy as the club invests in young players with high potential.
In addition to Jaouen, Newcastle have signed 20-year-old winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim for £43million and 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax for £23million.