Jaouen deal heading in the right direction

Ewen Jaouen is a goalkeeping target for Newcastle. What we’re hearing is it’s not done yet but it is heading in that direction, so he could become Newcastle’s first signing of the summer – but nothing official or finalised yet as we understand it.

It would be a transfer breakthrough early in the summer if this one was to get done. It is Newcastle’s – and certainly Eddie Howe’s – desire for fast movement in the market.

Jaouen is a France Under-21 international. He hasn’t played yet in the top division in France, but is a young player and somebody with plenty of time for growth and for development.

If they were to spend that sort of money on a goalkeeper [£24.2m reported fee], would he be coming in, with his age and lack of experience, as number one, or would he be there as second choice?

Would the arrival of one keeper open the exit door for Nick Pope? Aaron Ramsdale has gone back to Southampton, John Ruddy has left, and Odysseas Vlachodimos is back from loan with Sevilla, so there will be lots of movement in the goalkeeping department and some change.

If they sign Jaouen, will they bring in another goalkeeper to be the number? That would be a lot of money to spend on two goalkeepers.

There are some questions there about the strategy to be answered, but a deal for Jaouen is heading in the right direction, if not done.

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