Newcastle United are understood to be chasing wantaway Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope. Despite Martin Dubravka having an omnipotent grip on the number one jersey since arriving in 2018, the Magpies continue to be linked with a new shot-stopper.
Manchester Evening News reported last month that Newcastle were “closing in” on a move for Dean Henderson. However, a move for the 25-year-old did not materialise and Nottingham Forest are in pole position for his signature.
ChronicleLive understands Burnley are demanding £40million for Pope, who is determined to secure a move back to the Premier League following relegation. New Clarets boss Vincent Kompany is placed in a difficult position as the England international has just one year left on his contract.
READ MORE: Newcastle United turn down chance to sign £17million Juventus centre-back
Toon chiefs may be forced to change tack should Burnley choose to keep their star asset. ChronicleLive has profiled three alternative goalkeepers the Magpies could target this summer.
Robert Sanchez
Newly-appointed sporting director Dan Ashworth is familiar with the Brighton goalkeeper, who rose through the academy ranks under his tenure at the Amex Stadium. Newcastle fans will remember the Spaniard from last season as he was sent off in the dying embers for bringing down Callum Wilson.
With three years on his contract, Brighton are in no position to sell but Sanchez fits the bill for the type of player United are looking for. An agile shot-stopper who is good with his feet, the 24-year-old is a modern-day goalkeeper and has already been capped by his national team.
Brighton supporters will not be impressed should Newcastle pounce after losing Ashworth and Dan Burn in recent months.
Alphonse Areola
Incredibly, Areola has been on PSG’s books since 2013 and played for six different clubs on loan during that time. What is more remarkable is how the 29-year-old is third choice behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas - making his surplus to requirements at the French giants.
English football fans will know Areola from his brief stints at West Ham and Fulham but he barely featured for the former last season. The Frenchman served as understudy to Lukasz Fabianski - making just one Premier League appearance - but was a staple of the side that reached the Europa League semi-final.
Alban Lafont
Lafont is one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in Ligue 1 and is tipped by many as the long-term successor to Hugo Lloris in the national team. He represented France at every age group from U16 to U21 but is yet to make an appearance for the senior side.
The 23-year-old only has two years left on his contract at Nantes, which could force a sale should Newcastle make a sizable offer. Analytical site transfermarkt.com value Lafont at £14.4million - a steal in the current market.
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