Rumoured Newcastle move for Monchengladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas dismissed | OneFootball

Rumours linking Newcastle United with a move for Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas have been dismissed almost as quickly as they appeared.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Newcastle have no interest in the 28-year-old and haven’t spoken to Monchengladbach about a potential deal.

Speculation about Newcastle’s interest in Nicolas started after the German media claimed that Nicolas was their primary target in the search for a new goalkeeper.

They also claimed Newcastle had tabled a €12 million (£10.2m) bid for the German shotstopper, while Monchengladbach values him closer to €15m (£12.7m).

However, Plettenberg has now put those rumours to bed, making it clear that there has been no discussion between Newcastle and their German counterparts over Nicolas.

Newcastle are in the market for a new goalkeeper to take over from Nick Pope, who has been their first-choice shot-stopper since joining from Burnley four years ago.

The England international has entered the final year of his contract, sparking rumours that Newcastle may be open to doing business if the right opportunity comes along.

However, while the Magpies are contemplating their next move, Nicolas is not one of the options under consideration by the club’s recruitment team.

While Nicolas had not previously been linked with a move to St James’ Park, unexpected transfer stories are not unusual during the summer window.

Newcastle signed young goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade Reims earlier this summer, but it wasn’t a move that sent the transfer mill into a frenzy.

Any potential move for Nicolas could fall under the same category, but Plettenberg has made it clear that those rumours are currently wide of the mark.

Nevertheless, Newcastle are still expected to sign another goalkeeper this summer, and there are a few exciting names on their shortlist, including Manchester City’s James Trafford.

Trafford has been stuck playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma despite expecting to play a leading role for the Premier League giants.

Newcastle could offer an escape route this summer, but it remains to be seen how that would pan out.