Newcastle told to raid rivals Sunderland to fix problem position this summer

Newcastle have been tipped to do the unthinkable and sign Robin Roefs from bitter rivals Sunderland to solve their goalkeeping crisis.

The Magpies could well be in the market for a new no.1 this summer, with the future of Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale unclear after both have been unconvincing between the sticks.

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Pope has been a mainstay in goal since his arrival in 2022, when he was one of the first major names to join the club under Eddie Howe.

Meanwhile, Ramsdale arrived on a season-long loan from Southampton last August, with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.

However, it is currently unclear whether Newcastle will take up this option, while Pope’s days at St James’ Park could also be numbered, whose contract runs until the end of next season.

Although Ramsdale arrived largely on the premise of being Pope’s back-up, the ex-Arsenal man has stepped in more than first expected.

Pope made 36 appearances in all competitions this term while Ramsdale featured 23 times, with both failing to make the no.1 shirt their own after their share of high-profile errors in a disappointing season which saw the Magpies finish 12th.

Crossing the divide?

Newcastle are expected to make signing a goalkeeper one of their main priorities this summer, and talkSPORT’s Inside The Toon panel had a suggestion which could ruffle a few feathers.

Head of Sun Sport Shaun Custis suggested Sunderland stopper Roefs as the ideal target, after impressing in his debut season in English football.

The Dutchman joined the Black Cats ahead of their return to the Premier League, and has gone on to kept 10 clean sheets, playing a key role as Regis Le Bris’ side secured Europa League qualification on the final day of the season.

Floating the idea around his fellow panellists, Custis asked: “How would you be with going to sign Robin Roefs from Sunderland?”

This is a move that wouldn’t go down well with everyone on Tyneside, given the huge rivalry between the two teams.

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However, should Newcastle pull off the unlikely signing, Roefs wouldn’t be the first goalkeeper to cross the Tyne-Wear divide, with former favourites Shay Given and Steve Harper both also having stints at Sunderland

Fellow panellist Adam Clery wasn’t averse to the Roefs idea, who said: “All things being equal, that shouldn’t be an unrealistic possibility.

“Obviously it won’t happen, but he’s been fantastic. 

“It would determine how we want to play though, because he’s aerially dominant. There are things he doesn’t do necessarily.

“Brilliant for how Sunderland wanted to play, but if that’s not necessarily what we’re thinking about doing, it would be a bit of an odd one.”

While Roefs would represent a major coup, Newcastle have other targets whose arrival wouldn’t prove anywhere near as controversial.

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talkSPORT understands they are again interested in James Trafford, who turned down a move to St James’ Park in favour of returning to Manchester City last summer, but has since served as back-up.

It is also reported that the Magpies’ shortlist includes Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and Lens‘ Robin Risser.

Time to ‘move on’ from Pope

A change in goal looks increasingly likely for Newcastle, with the Inside the Toon panel insisting the time is right for the club to find a successor to Pope as their no.1.

The Englishman has played a key role in the Magpies’ rise in recent years, starring as they have twice qualified for the Champions League, as well as winning the 2025 Carabao Cup.

But with injuries hampering Pope’s performance in the last two seasons, Clery said: “I think they have to move on from Nick Pope.

“I love him as a goalkeeper. He’s been fantastic for us at points, but the injury suffered against Man United in that game. 

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“It has fundamentally changed the way he plays in goal. He does not look comfortable diving across. He does not look comfortable coming out of his goal anymore. 

“It really has knocked him in a way that unbalances the entire rest of the team. 

“Now, I was quite big on getting Aaron Ramsdale in because we obviously were desperately trying to be better in possession. He is a goalkeeper who can play a bit, but I don’t think it’s quite worked for him necessarily.

He added: “There are other goalkeepers out there – Man United [with Senne Lammens] and Sunderland have both proved that there is value to be had in the market elsewhere. 

“Just somebody who can come in and immediately set the rest of the team up for however it is we want to play next season. 

“I think that’s the most important transfer they can make.”

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