Ex Newcastle United boss tips club to make move for former Man Utd goalkeeper in January transfer window

Former Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has urged the club to go out and sign the best ‘available’ goalkeeper in the January transfer window as the club adjusts to the long term injury of Nick Pope.

Pope has been the undisputed first choice goalkeeper since his arrival from Burnley in the summer of 2022 and he was involved in 37 of his side’s 38 league games as his team recorded the best defensive statistics in the division last term.

The former Burnley shot stopper has been equally important this season and has produced a number of excellent performances in both the domestic and European competitions.

Pope faces a period of up to four months on the sidelines as a result of the dislocated shoulder that he sustained during Newcastle’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United and second choice goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has had a difficult return to life between the sticks - conceding seven goals in just two games against Everton and Tottenham.

With Newcastle’s declining form in the league being a cause for concern, Alan Pardew has backed his former club to make a move for free agent David De Gea.

The Spanish international and 2013 Premier League winner has been without a club since leaving Manchester United at the end of last summer, despite numerous links with some of the world’s biggest clubs.

De Gea has 12 years of top-flight experience under his belt and will likely look to push for a spot in Spain’s Euro 2024 squad after months of inactivity.

Pardew described De Gea as the “perfect fit” for Newcastle during this difficult period. Speaking on TalkSport, he explained: “De Gea is available. I mean if you're a Newcastle manager and you have got the funding you’ve got. You're going to go for the best. I think he’s the best that's out there.”

He added: “If I was De Gea’s agent I would be ringing them straight up as it seems like the perfect fit to me.”