‘There are still options’ - Jaissle opens door to late Nick Pope move

Nick Pope's Newcastle United future remains unresolved, with Matthias Jaissle confirming that a move abroad is still possible despite the English transfer window closing.

More significantly, the Newcastle boss revealed he had a “clear conversation” with Pope a couple of weeks ago about his position at the club.

Asked about the goalkeeper at his pre-Bournemouth press conference, Jaissle said:

“Yeah, there are a couple of countries where there are still options that players can move to.

“I had a clear conversation with Nick already a couple of weeks ago about his position here in the club, and to make a move that's not only a club decision, it's also a decision of the players, and often also from an agent.

“So there are many, many parts involved usually in deals. So we need to see. But for now, he's a member of the squad, and I really appreciate him and what he did for the club already, and how he's dealing with the situation right now.”

Newcastle are clearly open to Pope leaving if the right opportunity arrives, but Jaissle was also careful to point out that it isn't simply Newcastle's decision. Pope and his representatives have to want the move too.

The goalkeeper hierarchy already looks fairly obvious.

Lukáš Horníček has started Newcastle's opening Premier League games, while Ewen Jaouen was given the Carabao Cup tie against West Brom. Pope hasn't featured in any of those matchday squads.

Whatever happens, Pope deserves plenty of credit

We wrote recently that Newcastle could be “stuck” with Pope if no move materialised.

A bit harsh on Nick, that.

Whatever happens from here, Pope has been a terrific goalkeeper for Newcastle and will surely go down as one of our best.

His first season was outstanding as Newcastle finished fourth and returned to the Champions League, and he remained a huge part of the side that finally ended the club's trophy drought.

Pope was in goal at Wembley when Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 to win the 2025 Carabao Cup, ending a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.

That alone gives him a permanent place in Newcastle history.

Jaissle's comments also showed the respect remains. He has been honest with Pope about his position, while making a point of praising what he's done for the club and the way he's handled a difficult situation.

A move abroad would be unusual for Pope and perhaps unlikely, but you never know. If his time on Tyneside is coming towards an end, he can leave with his head held high and with a hell of a lot of credit in the bank.