The Magpies are expected to sign 20-year-old shot-stopper Ewen Jaouen from Ligue 2 side Reims for £24m, which would push the 10-cap England international down the pecking order. As a result, they will let him leave St. James’ Park.

The Shields Gazette claim that transfer talks have taken place between Town and Ipswich regarding a move for Pope, who is out of contract next summer, with Newcastle keen on cashing in rather than letting him leave for free in 12 months time. Leeds are also said to be interested in signing him.

Pope was born in Soham, Cambridgeshire, and held an Ipswich season ticket as a child. He played for the club’s academy from the age of 10, but was released at 16.

The 34-year-old spent time at Suffolk non-league side Bury Town before his switch to Charlton Athletic in 2011. A series of loan spells preceded a move to Burnley in 2016, which gave him the platform to play in the Premier League before joining Newcastle in 2022 for a reported £10m fee.

The 34-year-old has 10 England caps to his name (Image: PA)

Alex’s verdict

Certainly a reliable source. This one would make a lot of sense for the right fee, with Pope said to be valued at £5m. I really like it.

There’s the obvious personal level. He would surely be keen on playing for Town given his previous links with the club. It would taken him closer to home after a number of years in the north.

But he also brings top-level experience in the Premier League, the Champions League and on the international stage. This Ipswich team still lacks that, especially following Ashley Young’s retirement.

Pope would certainly be a safe pair of hands in a campaign where Town would need them in goal.

He would come in and be the no.1 if signed. It would be harsh on Christian Walton, who surely fancies his chances of becoming first-choice shot-stopper next season off the back of an excellent Championship campaign. All being fair, he deserves a shot.

And it remains to be seen where it would leave Alex Palmer, who was the main man for the latter stages of Town’s last Premier League season and the start of the Championship campaign.

Ultimately, Ipswich will have to be ruthless in their approach to recruitment if they want to survive – there’s little room for sentiment.