Newcastle step up interest in €20m Mio Backhaus - Sky Germany

Newcastle United's hunt for a new goalkeeper continues, and things are getting really confusing.

There's no doubt about it, Newcastle absolutely have to improve their goalkeeping options this summer. Nick Pope proved again on Sunday that he's a top-class shot stopper on his day, with some outstanding saves in the win over West Ham. However, he also showed, once again, that he can't kick accurately to save his life and that his decision-making is the stuff of nightmares.

It was recently reported that Newcastle were to sign Stade Reims goalkeeper Ewen Joauen, although that was quickly refuted by The Chronicle, who suggest a deal is not that advanced.

James Trafford, Robin Risser and Bart Verbruggen remain the three biggest names in the mix for Newcastle, and each of those could come in and stake an immediate claim for the No. 1 spot.

Newcastle is again linked with Mio Backhaus

It is starting to feel like the Magpies could recruit two goalkeepers in the summer, with another name now firmly in the mix.

Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has mentioned Newcastle as one of two clubs now actively pursuing Werder Bremen's Mio Backhaus.

It's not a new link as Newcastle have already been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, but it has now been claimed that Backhaus is heading for the exit door at Werder Bremen, with Newcastle and Freiburg making moves already.

A deal is expected to cost €20 million (£17 million), which is not an insignificant sum for a backup goalkeeper, especially when you consider Newcastle only paid £10 million for Nick Pope.

Backhaus as backup?

We still believe that Backhaus has the feel of a backup rather than someone ready to go straight in as first-choice, especially when you look at the pedigree of the other three targets we mentioned. Although they are all around the same age.

There's still a possibility that Nick Pope is moved on in the summer as Leeds United reportedly hold an interest in the former Burnley man. So that could be why Newcastle appears to be shopping for two keepers, on top of the fact Aaron Ramsdale will not win a permanent move from Southampton following his season-long loan. 

We're still holding out hope that we finally get that James Trafford deal done. Although our fear now is that we chase him for so long that when he finally arrives, he forgets how to play football like Anthony Elanga did.