Newcastle United look set for a major shake-up in the goalkeeping department by 2026 as doubts grow around the current options and future plans. The club has quietly known for some time that this position would soon require serious attention, and reports over the past week have only confirmed that change is coming.
According to The Athletic, the goalkeeping role is now considered an area of “critical concern” heading into next summer, with decisions looming over both Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale.
Pope remains a respected figure at the club, but he is approaching 34 and has limitations that make him a difficult long-term fit for the style Newcastle want to play. His shot-stopping is elite, but his distribution has repeatedly held the team back.
Ramsdale was brought in on a short-term, low-risk loan after Newcastle missed out on James Trafford, their preferred target.
The idea was to bring in some competition while evaluating the next step, but even Ramsdale’s future is far from secure. He has yet to fully convince, and no one at the club seems confident enough to label him a long-term No.1.
This is why the Trafford situation continues to hang over Newcastle. The club spent nearly 18 months pursuing the England international, only for Manchester City to swoop in and re-sign him.
That move looked questionable at first but made more sense when City immediately handed Gianluigi Donnarumma the starting spot. Trafford now appears positioned as an expensive backup at the Etihad.
That opens the door for Newcastle to circle back, and the player is believed to still be interested in the move. But wages, transfer fees, and City’s firm negotiating stance make any deal far from simple. It is far from guaranteed that Newcastle will be able to land Trafford at the third attempt, even if he remains their ideal candidate.
With that uncertainty in mind, the club has started widening its search, and two new names are beginning to gather momentum. One of the more intriguing options is Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The Swiss international has built a strong reputation in Germany as a commanding presence, standing 6ft 5 and possessing the experience Newcastle clearly value. With 40 Champions League appearances under his belt, Kobel fits the mould of a ready-made No.1 who can step straight into the Premier League.
The Athletic suggests he is well admired inside the club, and it is easy to understand why. His blend of size, athletic ability, and big-game experience makes him a natural candidate for a squad looking to take the next step.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Guillaume Restes, a rising young goalkeeper who has quickly become one of France’s most talked-about prospects.
The Toulouse stopper has impressed scouts across Europe, and Newcastle have recently sent their own team to watch him live. The interest is real and aligns with Ross Wilson’s recent comments about improving recruitment abroad and focusing on Europe’s emerging talent.
Restes has kept five clean sheets in 15 Ligue 1 matches this season, which is notable for someone his age, and he already has the experience of representing France at the Olympics.
He started five of their six matches last summer and held his own throughout the tournament, even in the final defeat to Spain. For a 21-year-old, his composure stands out.
Trafford still feels like the most logical solution for Newcastle, particularly because he was the one they wanted from the start. The club likes his profile, his age, and his confidence with the ball, and he reportedly likes the idea of playing at St James’ Park.
But football rarely follows simple paths, and the reality is that Manchester City hold the power in this situation. If Newcastle cannot secure him in 2026, they must have strong alternatives ready, and that is exactly why Kobel and Restes are now featuring prominently in scouting discussions.
Newcastle’s project continues to move forward, but the next great evolution may begin with a goalkeeper. Whether it is Trafford, Kobel, or a young star like Restes, the club knows they need someone who can define the next era from the back.
The search is already underway, and by the time 2026 arrives, the goalkeeping landscape at St James’ Park could look very different.
