Nick Pope will reportedly start the new season as Newcastle United's first-choice goalkeeper despite transfer links with Leeds United.
Southampton shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale confirmed his loan switch to St James' Park on Saturday after Newcastle failed to secure James Trafford from Burnley. However, The Sun report that veteran keeper Pope, 33, will kick off the Premier League season as the Magpies' first-choice goalie, with Howe showing loyalty towards the long-serving player.
Ramsdale, 27, will have to bide his time and seize any opportunity that comes his way to stake a claim for the regular goalkeeper's position. Newcastle rebuffed enquiries for Pope, including from the Whites, and plan to back this up by starting the season with the ten-cap England international between the sticks.
The Geordies' strategy reportedly involves letting a couple of other goalkeepers leave, allowing the two main keepers to battle it out for the number one spot. Ramsdale chose Newcastle in an attempt to avoid adding another relegation to his CV, having already experienced the disappointment of demotion with four different teams in his career.
He suffered relegation during an early loan spell at Chesterfield, followed by further disappointments at Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Southampton last season. Ramsdale had several options when he left the south coast, but his fear of relegation ruled out three clubs, it is claimed.
The shot-stopper reportedly declined offers from Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland - all of whom expressed interest - as he was reluctant to join a newly-promoted side.
Leeds' links with a new goalkeeper come amid uncertainty over Illan Meslier's future at Elland Road. The Frenchman was dropped by Whites boss Daniel Farke at the end of last season and Leeds have since signed Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri from Lyon this summer.
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