Another intriguing summer is unfolding at Newcastle United as the club aim to learn from their costly mistakes during the previous summer transfer window.
The Magpies missed out on numerous top targets 12 months ago as the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and James Trafford all escaped their clutches and moved to other Premier League clubs.
Newcastle subsequently paid over the odds for Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga, but found little reward for their lavish investment as they finished 12th in England's top-flight.
There are numerous positions Eddie Howe will be keen to strengthen ahead of the upcoming campaign, not least his goalkeeping department. The club have opted against pursuing last season's loanee Aaron Ramsdale on a permanent deal, while Nick Pope has been linked with an exit from St James' Park. Newcastle have forked out an initial £18.5million to land highly-rated Frenchman Ewen Jaouens this summer, but a reliable number one remains at the top of the wish list.
We've assessed the goalkeepers they could sign.
James Trafford
Newcastle were the frontrunners to sign Trafford from Burnley last summer when Manchester City swooped in to recpature their former academy graduate by activating his buyback clause.
What will have no doubt irked the Newcastle hierarchy even more was City's subsequent signing of Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma, which resulted in Trafford slipping into an unexpected back-up role.
Man City are keen to retain Trafford, but the 23-year-old is desperate to establish himself as a Premier League number one, especially after his omission from England's World Cup third-place play-off against France as Dean Henderson was preferred between the sticks.
A move for Trafford won't be cheap as the Citizens reportedly want £50m for the man they paid an initial £27m for last June.
Zion Suzuki
Amongst Newcastle's shortlist of goalkeepers is Parma and Japan international Zion Suzuki.
Born in New Jersey, Suzuki was eligible to represent Japan after moving to the country at a young age and the 23-year-old showcased his credentials as a top goalkeeping prospect with a series of impressive performances for the Samarai Blue at the World Cup.
Emerging through the academy ranks at Urawa Red Diamons, Suzuki joined Belgian Pro League side Sint-Truiden in 2023 before Parma secured his services in the following summer.
The Serie A side are reportedly demanding in excess of €30m for the goalkeeper, who is contracted to the Crociati until 2029 and has interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Leeds United.
Carl Rushworth
The pursuit of a 25-year-old who is yet to make a single top-flight appearance may not be enticing for many Newcastle supporters and yet Carl Rushworth demonstrated he's worthy of a shot in the Premier League after helping Coventry City to the Championship title last season.
Coventry are understandably keen to recapture Rushworth from Brighton on a permanent basis as he kept a league-high 17 clean sheets and topped the goalkeeping charts for goals prevented, but reports surfaced indiciating the Seagulls had offered Newcastle his services for £25m.
The quintessential ball-playing goalkeeper, Rushworth is an excellent shot stopper and has all of the ingredients to carve a career in the Premier League, although his signature would still be a significant gamble by the Newcastle hierarchy.
Gregor Kobel
Newcastle links to Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel have persistently surfaced every summer.
However, this would probably be the worst time to sign the 28-year-old from a financial perspective after his stock was raised again following an excellent World Cup for Switzerland.
Dortmund paid €15m to acquire Kobel from VfB Stuttgart in 2021 and Die Borussen are likely to command at least triple the sum they paid five years ago if a club wishes to try and lure him away from the Signal Iduna Park.
