Newcastle star makes defiant "not an idiot" claim as he addresses transfer situation

Nick Pope has underlined the fact he is a "really good goalkeeper" after Newcastle spent the summer potentially eyeing a new No 1 amid links with James Trafford - who eventually headed to Manchester City.

The Magpies missed out on a number of targets this summer with the former Burnley goalkeeper among them. He returned to Manchester after those at the Etihad activated a buy-back clause. It means Pope remains the man in charge of the starting shirt.

The 33-year-old's arrival at St James' Park in 2022 has coincided with their rise and he's readying to play in the Champions League for the second time in three years. Pope also etched his name into the club's history books by being part of the side that won the Carabao Cup.

There was a reshuffle in the goalkeeper department as Martin Dubravka left to join Burnley this summer and Odysseas Vlachodimos was loaned to Seville with Pope remaining. He now has Three Lions colleague Aaron Ramsdale for company in the north east.

Pope insists having names linked with Newcastle, especially given their wealth, is never going to go away but was in no doubt that he has plenty to offer.

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He told the Chronicle: "There will always be goalkeepers linked with Newcastle, whoever it is, that is part of the game. You can only ever focus on yourself and what is best for yourself and the team at the time. It was always far from my thoughts to leave, but there was no doubt in my mind about playing for anyone but Newcastle United.

"I could quite easily finish my career with Newcastle, I don't want to sound like an idiot but I feel like I am a really good goalkeeper and have played a lot of Premier League games. I know myself and I am looking forward to things now, we go into the Champions League again and that's where I want to play."

Newcastle endured a frustrating window for much of the summer before getting some late deals over the line, largely bolstering their frontline. Ramsdale was a loan capture from Southampton and Pope has no qualms about him arriving.

He added: "I know Aaron from England, he is a good lad and a good keeper. He is coming in to improve the squad. He is a good character and the last few years that is what we have been built on, that is our squad."

Pope has started all three of Newcastle's Premier League matches so far despite the presence of Ramsdale, who will provide strong competition.

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