Approach: Newcastle now in contact to sign “incredible” ace from academy that produced Pogba

Newcastle United have initiated contact over the potential signing of Angers’ highly-rated goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, as the Magpies prepare for a summer overhaul of their goalkeeping department.

The 24-year-old Ivorian international has emerged as a surprise target, with reports from France suggesting he could be available for a bargain fee between £6.8m-£8.4m as his club looks to cash in before his contract expires in 2026.

The pursuit comes as Newcastle assess their long-term options between the posts, with current number one Nick Pope now 33 and having endured an injury-disrupted season.

While Burnley’s James Trafford remains their primary target after his record-equalling 29 clean sheets in the Championship, Fofana represents an intriguing alternative who could provide both competition and future succession planning.

Fofana’s credentials are compelling. The Paris-born shot-stopper, a product of the famed Le Havre academy that nurtured Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet, has been Angers’ standout performer this season with a 6.88 average WhoScored rating – remarkable for a mid-table Ligue 1 side.

Scouts have raved about his “outstanding agility, reactions and positioning,” with additional praise for his command of the penalty area and modern distribution skills that make him ideally suited to Eddie Howe’s preferred playing style.

The 6’4″ goalkeeper’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed across Europe. Torino and Southampton are also monitoring his situation, but Newcastle’s Premier League status and ambitious project could give them the edge in any potential bidding war – especially with the Saints facing likely relegation.

Fofana’s relatively low valuation makes him an attractive proposition for a club needing to navigate Financial Fair Play regulations while strengthening multiple positions.

Newcastle’s goalkeeping shortlist reveals a clear strategy. Trafford (21) represents the premium homegrown option, Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel (26) offers proven top-level experience, while Fofana sits in the sweet spot between emerging talent and ready-made starter.

With Pope entering the twilight of his career and backup Martin Dúbravka failing to convince during his absence, the Magpies recognize this summer as pivotal for securing their long-term number one.

Fofana’s potential arrival would continue Newcastle’s shrewd recruitment in the French market following successes like Sven Botman and Allan Saint-Maximin.

At his reported price point, he could prove one of the bargains of the window – a calculated gamble on a goalkeeper whose physical gifts and technical base suggest he’s ready for the Premier League spotlight.

Whether he emerges as Plan A or provides depth behind a marquee signing, the Ivorian’s name has firmly entered Newcastle’s thinking as they plot their summer business.