Gregor Kobel could cost Newcastle at least €50m this summer - Lars Pollmann

Newcastle United desperately need to improve their options between the sticks ahead of next season, as Nick Pope's errors this season have been frequent and costly.

While we're not denying that on his day, Nick Pope is a top-class goalkeeper, this season has proved that there are some pretty big flaws to his game.

We've known for a while that his distribution leaves a lot to be desired, especially when it comes off his feet, but some of his decision-making this season has been horrendous and has led to some big problems for the team.

Aaron Ramsdale has usurped Pope from the No. 1 spot of late, but one clean sheet in 16 games isn't exactly going to get the PIF reaching for the chequebook to make his loan move permanent.

Newcastle appear to maintain an interest in Man City's James Trafford, but history suggests they'd be foolish to put all their eggs in that basket again.

Gregor Kobel won't come cheap

Another player who keeps being mentioned is Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who plays for Borussia Dortmund.

Kobel's name has been floated around a few times already, and now The Chronicle has reached out to journalist Lars Pollmann, who is based in Dortmund, to find out what chance, if any, Newcastle has of signing the 'best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga'.

"Fairly slim, but not impossible. Kobel is under contract until 2028, having signed his current deal in autumn 2023.

"As a 28-year-old goalkeeper, he is only entering his prime. It would not be terribly surprising if he at least entertained the idea of a big move to the Premier League. However, Kobel has been regarded as the best keeper in the Bundesliga for most of the five years he has now spent at Dortmund (given Manuel Neuer's decline because of age) and has still never come particularly close to leaving the club.

"Given his importance, contract and age, Dortmund would certainly expect one of the highest fees for a goalkeeper in football history, presumably somewhere in the region of €50m (£43.4m) to €70m (£60.8m). He is an excellent shot stopper with great reflexes on the line and in one-on-ones.

"He has decent command of the box thanks to prototypical size and athleticism. Somewhat surprisingly, his penalty record is nothing to get excited about."

The stars aren't aligning for this one

That all sounds pretty impossible to us. We can't see Newcastle forking out over £50 million for a goalkeeper nearing his thirtees, at least not this year.

Gregor Kobel would certainly take Newcastle up a level, but if they don't have Champions League football to offer him, it's likely going to be a non-starter based on that alone.

Only if Newcastle can get the fee way down and convince him to have a season without European football, then we can't see this one happening, unfortunately.