Newcastle United and Reims have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ewen Jaouen to St James’ Park, according to Canal+ journalist Bertrand Latour.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe wants another goalkeeper, and the Magpies will part with €28.5m for the Frenchman. Jaouen has already agreed a four year deal with the Toons and is now expected to move to Tyneside in the coming weeks.
Real Madrid and Chelsea beaten
Real Madrid wanted the 20 year old to succeed Thibaut Courtois. He also visited Chelsea. But it is Newcastle who have won the battle for his services.
The Magpies brought Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton last summer to provide cover for Nick Pope. The Englishman did well, but Newcastle have opted against a permanent deal and have gone for a younger option.
Jaouen will now look to prove himself in the Premier League having impressed in France.
The numbers
The France youth international shipped 35 goals in 34 games for Reims in the French second division during the 2025/26 campaign, keeping 15 clean sheets.
Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion also had him on their radar, but he has opted to join Newcastle. Jaouen has also visited the club’s facilities and appears convinced that joining the Magpies will be perfect for his development.
What comes next?
It remains to be seen whether he will walk straight into Newcastle’s starting XI. He will have to prove himself to Howe in pre season.
The former Guingamp goalkeeper showed his quality while on loan at USL Dunkerque in 2024/25, getting close to helping them to the French top flight and also taking them to the semi finals of the French Cup.
The bottom line
Newcastle needed a long term successor to Nick Pope. They’ve found one.
Jaouen is 20. He’s got 15 clean sheets in a single season. He’s already visited Chelsea and been tracked by Real Madrid.
And he’s chosen Newcastle.
The Magpies are building something. A young, ambitious goalkeeper fits the profile. Eddie Howe gets his man. And the battle for the number one shirt at St James’ Park just got a whole lot more interesting.
Pope. Jaouen. Ramsdale is heading back to Southampton.
The future is French. And Newcastle fans should be very excited.
