Manchester United could make shock move for Newcastle United star as deal close

Nick Pope is expected to stay at Newcastle United, despite the imminent arrival of Aaron Ramsdale.

Ramsdale is due on Tyneside later this afternoon to undergo his medical ahead of completing a season-long loan move from Southampton.

Newcastle moved for Ramsdale after missing out on James Trafford to Manchester City, who used their matching rights to match the Magpies’ accepted £27million bid last week.

Man City inserted several clauses when they sold Trafford to Burnley two years ago. The Cockermouth-born goalkeeper has penned a five-year contract with an option of an extra year.

Newcastle United set to sign Aaron Ramsdale

It’s understood Newcastle will pay a £4m loan fee for Ramsdale and have the option - not an obligation - of signing him permanently next summer.

In many ways, it’s a genius deal for the Magpies. It allows them to dedicate their remaining transfer funds to other areas of the squad, where a striker, centre-back and midfielder are being prioritised, as well as provide a different option to Pope.

Ramsdale is an experienced head having played just under 200 Premier League games for AFC Bournemouth, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Southampton. He also has five caps for England.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and his coaching staff know all about the player from their time at Bournemouth.

Nick Pope expected to stay at Newcastle United amid Manchester United links

Pope is expected to start the campaign, which begins away to Aston Villa on Saturday, August 16, as the club’s number one, though Ramsdale will undoubtedly push hard to displace him.

Pope’s shot-stopping has made him a transformative signing after joining in 2022, which has often made up for his struggles when trying to play out from the back. Ramsdale is viewed as someone who is much more comfortable with the ball at his feet.

A story from talkSPORT has claimed Pope could emerge as a target for Manchester United when Ramsdale officially signs, with the 33-year-old fitting “the type of player” they want to challenge Andre Onana.

But there is little chance of the Magpies letting Pope go. Having Pope and Ramsdale provides Howe with a good blend in what will be a challenging campaign with both domestic and European football to contend with.

Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos free to leave Newcastle United

Ramsdale’s arrival will bring the number of senior goalkeepers at Newcastle up to six, but that is expected to be trimmed with the departures of Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Dubravka almost joined Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab in January but was instead rewarded with a new contract after impressing during Pope’s absence. At 36, the Slovakian still holds ambitions of playing regularly.

Meanwhile, as reported by NewcastleWorld, Newcastle are actively pursuing a loan exit for Vlachodimos, having put feelers out to intermediaries in an attempt to sort the former Benfica man a move.

In an ideal world, the Magpies would prefer the player to leave on a permanent deal, but that is widely accepted to be near impossible for at least the next few windows. Unless they are able to recoup a significant fee for Vlachodimos, any sale would go down as a significant PSR loss on the books.

YOUR NEXT READ: Newcastle United aiming to unveil new signing in South Korea as Eddie Howe makes 'everything' vow.

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