· 5 September 2025, 18:30
**Nick Pope had been linked with a move away from Newcastle United over the summer, especially given the club's determination to bring in another top goalkeeper.**
James Trafford had been heavily linked with a move to Tyneside, but Manchester City beat the Magpies to the punch by activating their buy-back option. Ultimately, Newcastle brought in Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton.
Despite rumours linking Pope with a move to Leeds United, the 33-year-old remained at Newcastle, with Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos leaving the club for Burnley and Sevilla, respectively.
Dubravka's departure left the Number 1 shirt available, which was handed to Pope which showing that Eddie Howe was set to stand by the former Burnley man as first-choice.
Pope wants to retire at the Toon
Nick Pope could happily finish his career at Newcastle
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Pope himself is aware that he's had some games for Newcastle where he's not played to the levels he knows he can, but he also told [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/not-idiot-nick-popes-defiant-32411866) that he feels he's in a good place now, and that he never contemplated leaving this summer.
> "There will always be goalkeepers linked with Newcastle, whoever it is, that is part of the game."You can only ever focus on yourself and what is best for yourself and the team at the time."It was always far from my thoughts to leave, but there was no doubt in my mind about playing for anyone but Newcastle United."I could quite easily finish my career with Newcastle, I don't want to sound like an idiot but I feel like I am a really good goalkeeper and have played a lot of Premier League games."I know myself and I am looking forward to things now, we go into the Champions League again and that's where I want to play."Of course, I know I have had some really good spells at the club now and a couple of difficult games too, as everybody does across three years at a club."Now I feel like my body and mind are in a really good place."Mentally, I am really looking forward to this season, we have a top group of players now.
>
> "I look forward to going into the building every day with the boys to work and we hope we can have another exciting season."
Newcastle have a good Plan B if Nick Pope's nightmare footwork becomes too much
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Nick Pope is closing in on 100 games for the Toon, and if he plays against Wolves next week, the game against Barcelona will be his 100th appearance.
We have often been critical of Pope, mostly because his footwork gives us nightmares, but you can't question his shot-stopping ability.
We're still interested to see when Aaron Ramsdale will be deployed and how he could possibly change things up in terms of playing out from the back, but for now, we're happy to stick with Pope, as long as the lads stop passing to him.