Sky reporter Keith Downie has explained live on air why Newcastle chose Nick Pope over Nottingham Forest-bound Dean Henderson.
The Burnley stopper has arrived in the North East today to complete the formalities on a £10 million transfer.
Pope was also linked with Forest earlier this month. The Reds have now agreed on a deal with Manchester United for their stopper Henderson.
The 25-year-old will have his entire wages paid in full by Forest.
It’s unlikely that a clause to make the move permanent next summer will be inserted though.
With Newcastle and Forest inching closer to unveiling their new recruits, Downie has been giving the lowdown on why Newcastle chose Pope.
The Magpies had been linked with Henderson previously but the cost put them off moving for the United man.
He told Sky Sports News: “I think they looked at Dean Henderson in January and this summer.
“When they put the numbers together, they crunched the numbers and they felt they were better for Pope.
“The financials involved for the Henderson deal would have been far more difficult for Newcastle to do.
“They have other areas of the squad to take into consideration too.
“They juggled the three names but they definitely took the financial aspect into consideration.”
Downie explains Newcastle decision but Forest have still got a good deal
Henderson would have been an even better capture if he wasn’t just on a straight loan.
Had the Reds included a clause to buy him next summer it would have been a really astute piece of business.
Pope, like Henderson, is an England goalkeeper and Newcastle have managed to land him on a permanent basis.
That does represent good business and as he’s their player, right now it looks a better deal.
If Henderson does well, he could still earn a move to Forest on a permanent basis.
He won’t come cheap and perhaps United will have a plan for him eventually playing first-team football at Old Trafford.
Forest’s aim for next season is to stay up. Signing Henderson gives them every chance of doing just that.