Newcastle United's £100m goalkeeping dilemma that will affect Nick Pope this summer

Newcastle United are on the hunt for fresh goalkeeping options this summer and have already been linked with £100m worth of talent in between the sticks before the transfer window has even got going.

With Loris Karius leaving as a free agent and Martin Dubravka attracting interest from abroad, Eddie Howe is pushing to add another crucial asset to his goalkeeping department to challenge Nick Pope. However, it remains to be seen which path Newcastle will opt for.

First, there is James Trafford. A 21-year-old shot-stopper from Burnley who has excelled at England youth level and has a bright future ahead of him. The youngster may have been dropped midway through the season as the Clarets lost their place in the top flight but there is clearly a talented player there - and one likely available for a fee that won't break the bank.

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Newcastle are said to have launched a £16m bid for Trafford's services, with Burnley expected to ask for £20m. Acquiring the up and coming keeper would likely mean Pope keeps his place as Howe's No 1 this season but the Magpies have his replacement ready to go for further down the line.

However, more experienced names are also on the shortlist in the form of Aaron Ramsdale and Giorgi Mamardashvili. Both men are said to be valued at £30m and £35m by Arsenal and Valencia respectively and have attracted interest from the Premier League and across Europe.

Howe knows Ramsdale very well from the pair's time at Bournemouth and should the Gunners' backup keeper arrive on Tyneside, it would be a popular move. It would also be one that would put real pressure on Pope to keep his spot in the team.

The same could be said for Mamardashvili, who excelled at Valencia last season and has subsequently attracted serious interest from some of Europe's best clubs. A big-money arrival such as his would again point to the fact Howe may see a benefit from a change of his first-choice stopper.

The direction of travel Newcastle take this summer will impact Pope's future heavily. The former Burnley stopper has recently returned from injury and will want to be playing week in, week out before he reaches the final years of his career.