Geordies were expecting someone to put the ball in the net but instead they are to be presented with someone to keep it out! Nick Pope, a goalkeeper who will challenge the supremacy of Martin Dubravka, will become the first new face to be signed by Newcastle this summer.
Reality amid all the speculation dawned on fans with the confirmation that Burnley's shot-stopper was coming to Tyneside for a medical. Once a deal makes that stage 99 times out of 100 it goes through . . . unless you are John Beresford at Liverpool.
A Pope arriving at the cathedral on the hill is not what had been United's expected breakthrough signing after the return of Matt Targett especially with the long saga of will-he-won't-he concerning young striking sensation Hugo Ekitike but he will be a welcome addition with the departure of Freddie Woodman likely to be followed by Karl Darlow shooting off to pastures new.
