Nick Pope will reassess his options in the January transfer window after slipping to third choice at Newcastle United this season. The goalkeeper is out of contract in the summer and can leave the club.
Career at St James' Park
Pope has enjoyed a successful career at St James' Park since his £10million move from Burnley in 2022, helping the Magpies end their trophy drought with an excellent performance in the Carabao Cup final and playing a huge role in twice qualifying for the Champions League.
However, his position came under threat last season with Eddie Howe shuffling between him and Aaron Ramsdale as his No 1, and when United bought Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen in the summer the writing was on the wall for Pope.
Current situation
He remained at the club once the transfer window closed but has been relegated to No 3 behind the two new signings, though he was recalled to the Newcastle bench by Matthias Jaissle when Jaouen was injured for a couple of games. However, it seems unlikely he will kick another ball or make another save for the first team.
His former Burnley teammate Phil Bardsley believes the veteran may look to move on in January when the window reopens, rather than be left kicking his heels on the sidelines during a matchday.
"It's a shame to see Nick Pope on the bench," he said via Lyllo Casino. "He's an outstanding goalkeeper and had a brilliant couple of seasons at Newcastle, but unfortunately picked up another injury that kept him out for a period of time and then struggled to get back in.
"Knowing Popey the way I do from when we played together, he'll be eager to get out and play some games. I think he'll assess his situation in January if he's not getting the game time that he wants.
"I'd imagine he'd look for something else to try and get the minutes that he wants and is used to. Ever since we played at Burnley together, he's probably been playing 30 or 40 games a season, so when he's not doing that, I'd imagine he's not too happy."
Contract and transfer prospects
Pope can start talking to other clubs in January, with just six months left on his contract at that point. The England international's deal runs out in the summer, along with those of several other Newcastle United players.
The Magpies shunned bids for Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey in the dying embers of the transfer window - Besiktas were keen on a £17m move for Willock while Nottingham Forest bid £15m for Murphy. However, deadline day came and passed without any serious offers for Pope.
The 35-year-old still has a lot to offer as a shot-stopper and while he has slipped down the pecking order, he has remained ultra professional behind the scenes and at the training ground, working with Hornicek, Jaouen, Aidan Harris and Mark Gillespie.
