Newcastle United could look to the signing of FC Porto and Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa as cover and competition for current No 1 Nick Pope in January.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest at St James’ Park following the closure of the summer transfer window.
According to various reports in Portugal, Newcastle have been scouting Costa since June and may be prepared to pay his £51.9m release clause in January to bring him to Tyneside.
That is despite the signing for a fee in the region of £11m of former Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, who has kept three clean sheets in six Premier League appearances for Eddie Howe’s side so far this season.
O’Rourke believes that the potential signing of Costa would provide competition and cover for Newcastle in January rather than coming straight in at No 1.
He said: “Maybe they’re looking at the boy from Porto to [be] competition and cover for Nick Pope in the January transfer window.
“But yeah, I think Nick Pope’s had a great start to his [Newcastle] career, and I think there’s no doubts that he is the number one at St James’ Park, but maybe Eddie Howe is looking at a bit of cover and competition.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments…
Whilst we believe that there is no harm in having a suitable backup option for Pope, Newcastle’s agreement to sign former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius as a free agent suggests that the club don’t need to spend over £50m on a backup goalkeeper this winter.
However, the five-time Portugal international is only 22 years old and has kept three clean sheets in five Liga Portugal appearances so far this season, suggesting that he could become a long-term first-choice option for Howe if he was to sign for the Premier League side in January.
Therefore, we believe that Newcastle need to make a decision as to whether the club are willing to spend such a large amount of money on a goalkeeper who isn’t critically required at St James’ Park at the moment.