Boss keeps focus on current crop of shot-stoppers

HOWE PLAYS DOWN KEEPER RUMOURS AS HE HEAPS PRAISE ON UNITED NO 1 POPE

- LEE RYDER

NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe has refused to wade into the sudden surge in goalkeeper links at St James' Park - just days after reports in France and Spain touted the Magpies to sign two stars of the 2024/25 season in Europe.

Howe admitted last week that change in his goalkeeper department is likely in the summer with Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos tipped to leave Tyneside.

On the domestic front, Newcastle have been admirers of Burnley's James Trafford and Southampton's Aaron Ramsdale.

In Ligue 1, Newcastle are believed to have taken a look at Ivory Coast and Angers keeper Yahia Fofana while the Spanish Press say that Howe likes Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia. The right-footed keeper has a release clause of £25m and Espanyol have financial concerns.