Newcastle United already have Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale fighting it out for the number one jersey, but Eddie Howe has now been offered the chance to sign another figure to provide goalkeeping competition.
Newcastle see off Wolves with Woltemade winner
After a difficult start to the Premier League campaign and having to undergo a lengthy search for a striker in the wake of Alexander Isak’s exit, Newcastle claimed their first victory of the season on Saturday against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Establishing himself as a new hero of the St James’ Park faithful, Nick Woltemade scored the only goal of the match to give the Geordies a precious three points on home soil.
Nick-Woltemade
Speaking post-match, Howe came in for high praise from the Germany international, who illustrated his gratitude to the manager after galvanising his side to claim a vital win after a slow start to the season.
Woltemade said: “I was just here for four days now, so everything was new for me. I was putting that bit away and I was focusing on myself today. I think the coach already gave me such a good feeling, so I felt good on the pitch. I knew what to do and I guess you saw today everybody knew what they have to do. This win was really important."
Barcelona await next for Newcastle in their much-anticipated first Champions League fixture, and they will feel their solidity at the back can give them half a chance of stopping Lamine Yamal and company on Tyneside.
Three clean sheets in four Premier League encounters is a solid return for Nick Pope, who was linked with a summer exit to both Leeds and Manchester United.
Nevertheless, Newcastle appear to be looking at life after the Three Lions international and have now been offered a shock chance to sign an up-and-coming stopper.
Newcastle offered surprise chance to sign Sheffield United's Michael Cooper
According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper by intermediaries, with the approach coming as a surprise due to his recent dip in form.
Conceding 12 goals in the Blades' first five Championship fixtures, the 25-year-old has recorded a save percentage rate of 62.5%, per Fotmob. Following an extremely disappointing start to the campaign for his club, Ruben Selles has now been sacked at Bramall Lane.
Despite this, Cooper has made 20 saves in that time period and is also on the radar of West Ham United and Everton, becoming an appealing homegrown option on the market as his contract is set to expire in 2026.
michael-cooper-sheffield-united-championship
After Odysseas Vlachodimos left to join Sevilla, Newcastle are said to be keeping a 'close eye' on his situation, likely as a consequence of 33-year-old Pope coming towards the twilight of his career.
While he wouldn't be a first choice immediately at St James' Park, Cooper would add another layer of talent to the goalkeeping group and could potentially be a long-term successor to Pope if he can rediscover his form.