Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Tue 14 April 2026 15:25, UK

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Newcastle United need to prioritise a move to sign Bart Verbruggen as uncertainty lingers around the respective futures of both Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale.

The Magpies have been linked with a move for Brighton stopper Verbruggen ahead of a busy summer window on Tyneside.

He has been a regular between the sticks for the Seagulls throughout this campaign, while Eddie Howe has struggled to find a permanent fix for his goalkeeper struggles.

Pope and loanee Ramsdale have shared number one duties throughout this campaign, but neither has particularly impressed, with the latter currently favoured by the Newcastle boss.

Newcastle’s transfer plans will be dictated by whether they can qualify for Europe, which looks unlikely right now, but they must accelerate a move for Verbruggen regardless, especially with other teams watching his progress on the south coast.

Bart Verbruggen is impressing for Brighton while Nick Pope sits on Newcastle’s bench

Sources have told Football Insider that Newcastle may have to pay £50million for Verbruggen this summer, and he looked every bit worth that fee against Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

The Dutch stopper made four saves to preserve a clean sheet in Brighton’s 2-0 win at Turf Moor, with a particularly impressive one to deny Jaidon Anthony in the 10th minute.

He displayed his excellent passing range and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet throughout the clash, with Brighton now four points ahead of the Magpies in ninth after the win.

Pope, meanwhile, was left on the bench for the seventh successive game as Newcastle lost 2-1 at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Howe has continued to prefer to start a loanee, in Ramsdale, over the 33-year-old as they look to turn their poor form around before the season ends.

Ramsdale made a few stops at Selhurst Park but could do nothing to prevent Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late brace, and he has rarely impressed for the Magpies despite being preferred by Howe.

It is clear that Newcastle will need a new goalkeeper in the summer, and with Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg reporting that Verbruggen has numerous enquiries on the table, they must now prioritise a move for the Brighton star.

Where does Ramsdale stand in Newcastle’s current goalkeeping situation?

Ramsdale is still an option for Newcastle to sign on a permanent deal this summer, but would likely still cost a decent amount after struggling to make his mark on Tyneside.

Sources have told Football Insider that Ramsdale is set to return to Southampton this summer, with Newcastle plotting a move to sign a new goalkeeper.

Verbruggen is already a better stopper despite being four years younger, so it clearly makes sense to part ways with Ramsdale and try to sign the Dutchman early in the window.

Newcastle still possess real financial might, despite a poor previous summer window and missing out on Champions League football, and so should have no concerns over tempting Verbruggen to St James’ Park for next season.