Exclusive:Guillaume Restes transfer truth as £20m man keen on Newcastle United move amid summer clause

Newcastle United are certain to be in the market for a goalkeeper next summer after neither Nick Pope or Aaron Ramsdale proved they’re the answer between the sticks for Eddie Howe.

However, one player they will not be making a move for, despite plenty of online chatter and links, is Guillaume Restes.

The rumour mill has been in overdrive in recent weeks when it comes to the young Toulouse keeper. Reports have suggested the Magpies are taking a look at the player with view to making a move in one of the next two windows.

But, NewcastleWorld has learned Restes is not considered a target, as things stand.

Guillaume Restes linked with Newcastle United transfer

What’s certain is Newcastle are keen to sign a keeper.

Pope is the current No.1 and while head coach Eddie Howe is a big fan of the England international, there is an understanding that in order for the team to continue to progress, a more comfortable footballer is required in the position.

Aaron Ramsdale, on loan from Southampton, has excellent distribution but has not set the world alight with other aspects of his game in Pope’s absence. Ramsdale is keen for Newcastle to make the deal permanent - it would cost around £20million - and while no decision has been made on his future, it seems, as things stand, unlikely United will activate the deal.

Why NUFC are NOT looking at James Trafford right now

The answer to Howe and Newcastle’s prayers was meant to be James Trafford. The Man City man was telling everyone who would listen he was set for a Magpies’ move, and it was close, but a contract clause was activated by Pep Guardiola’s men, meaning Trafford was bound to depart Burnley for the Etihad.

As revealed by NewcastleWorld on December 5, Trafford’s current wages mean the Magpies will not revisit a move for the player for a third time. They are also reluctant to entertain any negotiations with Man City, especially given their very live interest in Tino Livramento.

And while Trafford ticks every box - being a big-framed shot-stopper like Pope, but with ability on the deck, too, Restes does not have the same attributes. Restes is not seen as the right physical profile to become Newcastle’s next No.1, standing considerably shorter than the likes of Pope and Trafford.

Ross Wilson on January transfer window

Speaking to supporters last month, new Toon sporting director Wilson confirmed there is money in the kitty if needed. He said: “The scouting work is always ongoing,” Wilson explained. “So, the guys are doing loads of work with that all the time. Can we spend in January? Yes. If we want to, we can.

“It’s obvious to everybody given the level of club spend in the summer that we’re not going to do that again in the winter window as well, for a variety of reasons. But if we want to spend, we can.

“Of course, we’ll be creative, of course we’ll be opportunistic as well. But probably the most important thing is that it would have to align with what the summer plan looks like, which is the bigger squad plan. All of those conversations are ongoing.

“We’ll have the ones about where Eddie sees the need in the squad, if at all. But for now, the conversations have been, ‘What have we got, what do we think about what we’ve got, where do we see this’, then let’s see how that fits into January and the next part of the conversation.”