Newcastle progressing in Ewen Jaouen deal, expected to add further goalkeeper signing
Newcastle United are progressing in negotiations with Reims to sign France Under-21 international goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen and are hopeful a deal will be struck.
The 20-year-old has been identified as an exciting prospect, though the highest level at which he has played in senior football is Ligue 2, the French second division.
Jaouen’s inexperience at the top level means he is unlikely to immediately be thrust into the No 1 spot after arriving, with at least one further goalkeeper expected to join this summer, should Newcastle conclude a deal for the Frenchman.
Newcastle sources insist that a deal has not yet been agreed but there is belief that a compromise can be reached, potentially as soon as this weekend.
Nick Pope has been first choice on Tyneside for the majority of the past four years and his future is uncertain. Yet even if Pope stays, Newcastle require at least one further shot-stopper beyond Jaouen.
Aaron Ramsdale has returned to Southampton, with Newcastle opting not to enact the option-to-buy clause in his season-long loan deal, while John Ruddy, the 39-year-old, is leaving too once his contract expires at the end of the month. Mark Gillespie, the 34-year-old Geordie, has agreed a 12-month extension, but is a training goalkeeper.
Whether Newcastle have the financial capacity to sign two senior ‘keepers remains to be seen, and may be partly influenced by what happens with Pope, but it would be quite the elevation for Jaouen to begin the 2026-27 Premier League campaign between the posts.
Across 2025-26, Jaouen started all 34 of Reims’ Ligue 2 matches and kept 15 clean sheets as his side finished sixth in the table. He previously impressed on loan at Dunkerque in 2024-25, keeping seven clean sheets in 22 appearances.
In November, the 6ft 6in (1.97m) goalkeeper made his France Under-21 debut, having been capped at Under-17, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 levels previously.
Newcastle are looking to secure Jaouen as their first summer signing. Anthony Gordon joined Barcelona in a deal worth up to €80m last month, a sale which has aided Newcastle’s capacity to reinvest on incomings.
An attacker to replace Gordon is a top priority, with Osasuna’s Victor Munoz admired, and Newcastle have also enquired about AIK’s 18-year-old right-winger Zadok Yohanna. Another goalkeeper and at least one full-back are also wanted, while Newcastle will look to replace any midfielders who may leave, and another forward could yet be acquired.
Jaouen would be a signing with the future in mind
A significant goalkeeper reshuffle was promised at St James’ Park this summer and perhaps it will prove to be revolution, not evolution, after all.
Jaouen’s arrival would be an exciting one and very much with the long-term future in mind. Newcastle are trying to pull off what they see as a bit of a coup, acquiring Jaouen early before other clubs can pounce.
Yet Eddie Howe’s need is for an upgrade in goal immediately, making it likely that at least one further senior goalkeeper beyond Jaouen arrives, but potentially two should Pope leave.
Whether Newcastle have the headroom to bring in another shot-stopper who could start the season as No 1 — their long-term admiration for Manchester City’s James Trafford, who they have twice tried to sign, is well known — is unclear. But the drop-off in Pope’s performances across 2025-26, which featured a series of high-profile errors, including away in Marseille and at home to Everton, suggests it would be a risk to begin the new Premier League campaign with either the England international or Jaouen as first choice.
It may come as a surprise to some supporters that Newcastle have moved for a young goalkeeper first, given Gordon has just been sold, but the club are working on several deals across multiple positions at once.