£60,000-a-week Newcastle player who Jaissle really likes is planning to leave

It was a summer of change at Newcastle United, with Eddie Howe being replaced by Matthias Jaissle, while there were also a number of high-profile exits, which meant it was necessary to make a number of new additions to the squad.

As such, it has been a mixed start to the season for the Magpies, but they managed to sign off in positive fashion before the international break, running out 2-1 winners against newly-promoted Hull City at St. James’ Park.

Lukas Hornicek was given the nod between the sticks against the Tigers, and the two-time Czechia international has remained Jaissle’s first-choice option between the sticks so far this season, but he has kept just one clean sheet in five Premier League appearances.

REUTERS/Chris Radburn

In truth, Hornicek has big boots to fill, having been brought in as a replacement for Nick Pope, who was a mainstay in the Howe era, making 131 appearances since arriving from Burnley in 2022, during which time Newcastle have been playing Champions League football.

However, with the 34-year-old falling down the pecking order, his future at St. James’ Park is looking increasingly doubtful, and there has now been a further update on his thoughts about a move elsewhere.

Nick Pope wants to leave Newcastle in 2027

REUTERS/Scott Heppell

According to a report from Football Insider, Pope is planning to explore a move away from St. James’ Park in the January transfer window, but he will also look at leaving as a free agent in the summer, at which point his contract will have expired.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke explained: “Let’s see what happens in January. If there are decent options for Nick Pope then it’s something he might look at, but he’s in a strong position as well. Coming into the final year of his contract, he’ll be the master of his own destiny come next summer. If he is out of contract, he can pick and choose where he wants to go as a free agent.”

In truth, a move elsewhere is probably best for all parties, given that the Magpies signed Hornicek and Jaouen in the summer, and the latter has emerged as Jaissle’s second-choice goalkeeper this season, featuring in the 3-2 EFL Cup victory against West Bromwich Albion.

Despite being unwilling to give the £60,000-a-week goalkeeper any game time, Jaissle has made it clear he’s an admirer of Pope, saying: “I really appreciate what he has done in his career so far. He knows exactly the situation right now and we need to deal with it in the best possible way, but I always appreciate the player and the human being behind.”

The Englishman, who has been lauded as “phenomenal” by Shay Given, will always be remembered for starting in the 2-1 EFL Cup final victory against Liverpool in 2025, which ended Newcastle’s 70-year trophy drought, but Hornicek and Jaouen are the future.