Newcastle add Mio Backhaus to goalkeeper shortlist - Report

There is expected to be a shakeup of the goalkeeper situation at Newcastle United in the summer, but we've been saying that for the last three summers now.

This time, it looks like action will actually be taken, finally. Nick Pope has had a rough season between the sticks, and this season's backup, on-loan Aaron Ramsdale, hasn't really done enough to convince anyone that he's worthy of making his move permanent.

James Trafford has once again emerged as a top target for Eddie Howe, but there have been several other names added to the list after the Magpies have twice been burned when trying to sign the England goalkeeper.

There is even a chance that Newcastle may need to bring in two goalkeepers ahead of next season. Aaron Ramsdale and John Ruddy will leave at the end of the campaign, and there's even a chance that Nick Pope could follow them out the door.

Mio Backhaus is Newcastle's latest goalkeeper target

The Chronicle has reported that Leeds United are keen on Pope, and that Newcastle are already looking for replacements beyond the main goalkeeper targets.

Werder Bremen's Mio Backhaus has become the latest name linked with the Toon. The 6'4" stopper is being tracked by Barcelona and now Newcastle after a busy season with Werder Bremen, who have been battling relegation in the Bundesliga this season.

The 22-year-old German has kept five clean sheets in 31 games in the Bundesliga this term, conceding 51 goals along the way. Hardly inspiring numbers, but given Werder's position in the league, hardly surprising.

It's expected that Backhaus would be brought in as a backup for the main signing, be it James Trafford, Robin Risser, Bart Verbruggen or someone further down the list.

It's time for change

We'll never forget how good Nick Pope was for us when he first arrived, but something has happened in the last couple of years where he just can't be trusted.

It's like the game has got away from him. Goalkeepers have increasingly needed to be good with their feet as teams tend to play out from the back, and that has always been a weak point in Pope's game, but for a while, we were able to deal with it. 

In the last year or so, the game has got even quicker, and it has caused massive problems for Pope.

Two new, young and hungry goalkeepers coming in this summer will raise our hopes again.

Rumour Rating: 7/10 - Coming from a more reputable source and not trying to hail Mio Backhaus as the saviour of our club. It feels like a grounded and realistic story. Barcelona's interest could be a problem, though.