Jeff Stelling thinks Newcastle could sell £10m star this summer, Ally McCoist agrees

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Both Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist feel as if Newcastle United could make a bold decision to sell one of their star players this summer.

Eddie Howe will still be so delighted that his Newcastle side were eventually able to find a way to beat West Ham United on Saturday.

Alexander Isak was the star, a player everyone at St. James’ Park will now demand a lot more from.

That’s not to say that Isak has ever played poorly, but fans will now be begging for the 24-year-old to stay fit and deliver his performances regularly.

Isak has played 21 of Newcastle’s 29 league games this season, scoring an incredibly impressive 14 goals.

And with Callum Wilson on the ever-growing list of long-term injuries, Newcastle desperately need their Swedish talisman.

That being said, perhaps a new striker will be in Newcastle’s sights for next season, a player with an exemplary injury record.

But when it comes to players who may leave the club, both Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist believe Newcastle may make a bit of a gamble in the summer.

Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist think Newcastle could sell Nick Pope to sign Aaron Ramsdale

The pair were speaking on talkSPORT this morning and believed that Nick Pope could be sold in order to bring in Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale.

Of course, since signing for the club for £10m, Pope has been outstanding, meaning it would be a big call.

And both Stelling and McCoist seemed adamant that Pope wouldn’t stick around as number two should Ramsdale arrive.

McCoist was initially speaking about Pope’s eventual return from injury: “It will give them healthy competition once Nick Pope’s back fit.

“I think in all fairness [Martin] Dubravka’s come in and done a reasonable job, but I would think Pope would automatically come back in once he’s fit.

“He’s 32 years of age, a goalkeeper’s a different position, they obviously can play a lot longer than perhaps outfield players.

“It would certainly make ideal sense for Ramsdale.”

Stelling replied: “It makes ideal sense for Newcastle but I’ll tell you what, it means that Nick Pope leaves the club because he doesn’t stay as a number two.”

McCoist: “Yes.”

Stelling: “They’ll keep Dubravka as the number two and sell Nick Pope and I think they’ll be no shortage of takers either because he’s a fine goalkeeper.”

McCoist: “Well, that’s the question I think Newcastle have got to weigh up, do they think Ramsdale’s a better goalkeeper than Nick Pope because I think Jeff’s right, Pope ain’t going to hang about and play second fiddle at the age of 32. Big decision for them.”

Is a Newcastle move for Aaron Ramsdale worth the disruption?

Of course, in line with both Stelling and McCoist’s words, Ramsdale’s big advantage for Newcastle would be his age.

At 25-years-old, the Arsenal goalkeeper still has more than 10 top seasons ahead, whilst the same can’t be said for Pope.

It would be incredibly harsh on Pope were he replaced by Ramsdale as number one, but perhaps Howe and his staff will just see an opportunity that’s too good to turn down.

Ramsdale does also have an exemplary injury record, something that can’t be overlooked at Newcastle right now.

That being said, it seems as if Tottenham could now be eyeing a different Newcastle star this summer.