Manchester United have expressed interest in signing Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope to challenge current Old Trafford No. 1 Andre Onana.
The Red Devils have not ruled out bringing a new goalkeeper to the club this summer to compete with Onana.
Onana was rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the world prior to his £43m move from Inter Milan in 2023 but the ex-Champions League finalist has flattered to deceive at United.
The 29-year-old made a number of high-profile mistakes during United’s dismal 2024-25 campaign and was left out of some squads towards the end of the season.
Already questioning Onana’s future at the club, the Manchester United hierarchy discovered the Cameroon international would not play on the club’s pre-season tour after he suffered a hamstring injury in training.
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Onana travelled to the States for the three-game Premier League Summer Series but is spending his time recovering ahead of the new season.
Manchester United have been linked with a number of goalkeepers since Onana’s injury blow and talkSPORT say England international Pope is the latest to be considered.
Pope has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League for the best part of a decade, making almost 100 appearances for Newcastle since his £10m move from Burnley.
The 33-year-old was injured for four months last season and Newcastle’s own interest in goalkeepers this summer has raised speculation over his future at St James’ Park.
Carabao Cup holders Newcastle have been heavily linked with fellow England shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale, who wants to leave Southampton following their relegation to the Championship.
What Nemanja Matic said about Andre Onana
Ahead of facing his former club last season, Nemanja Matic labelled Andre Onana as ‘one of the worst goalkeepers in the club’s history’.
Onana had earlier claimed Manchester United were ‘way better’ than Matic’s Lyon, who they ended up beating on their way to the Europa League final.
Matic, who played for United from 2017-2022, said: ‘You know, I respect everyone but to say that then you need to give the answer.
‘If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history, you need to take care what you’re talking about.
‘If it was [Edwin] Van der Sar, [Peter] Schmeichel or [David] De Gea saying that, then I would question myself. But you need to have cover to say something like that.’
Ramsdale’s potential move to Newcastle would only increase speculation Pope will be sold as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at the Champions League club.
Leeds United reportedly looked into the possibly of signing Pope earlier in the summer but Newcastle held firm and the Lilywhites have since signed Lucas Perri from Lyon for around £15m.
While Newcastle are in talks with Southampton over a deal for Ramsdale, Sky Sports say the club have indicated they are not currently planning to sell Pope.
Eddie Howe, planning for Newcastle’s return to the Champions League, is keen to bring Ramsdale in but wants a new goalkeeper to challenge Pope rather than replace him.
‘Nick Pope has performed admirably for them over the course of the last few seasons but unfortunately he’s had a number of injuries,’ Sky Sports’ James Savundra said.
‘Our understanding is Eddie Howe wants a goalkeeper to compete with Pope rather than replace Pope.
‘You could have two England goalkeepers competing for the No. 1 jersey at Newcastle, knowing whoever gets it will have a great chance of going to the World Cup next summer.’
In the injured Onana’s absence, Altay Bayindir is Ruben Amorim’s No. 1 during Manchester United’s pre-season tour, but he too has been linked with an Old Trafford exit.
United have shown interest in Emiliano Martinez but Aston Villa want at least £40m for the World Cup winner – a price the Red Devils are reluctant to meet.
Manchester United have already spent over £120m on attacking duo Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Their pursuit of a goalkeeper is seen as less important than bringing in a new striker – Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins are being considered after Viktor Gyokeres rejected them in favour of joining Arsenal.
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