Eddie Howe's desire to improve the competition in between the sticks is no secret amid speculation linking Nick Pope with a move to St. James' Park. Martin Dubravka has been the number one at Newcastle since his arrival and the likes of Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman have been solid understudies.
However, with the Magpies looking to take the next step towards establishing themselves as a European outfit. Darlow has been linked with a move to the Championship while Woodman has also been linked with a move to Preston North-End, leaving Howe short on options between the sticks.
Pope would be a considerable upgrade on the two aforementioned players, but Howe knows just how difficult it can be to fill the number one spot. Woodman struggled for game time at Bournemouth due to the fine form of Mark Travers, with the Magpies head coach saying he would assess the 25-year-old's future this summer.
