Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen for a fee of €28.5 million, the club confirmed. The France U21 international has agreed a four-year contract with the Premier League side and will become the second most expensive French goalkeeper in history, trailing only Lucas Chevalier.
According to L’Equipe, the transfer will see an initial payment of €25 million made to Reims, with a further €3.5 million potentially payable in bonuses. The Chronicle also reported that the deal has been finalised. The significant fee represents a considerable increase from Reims’ initial asking price of €20 million.
Despite having only 58 Ligue 2 appearances to his name and no experience in top-flight football, Jaouen attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur. This competition is believed to have influenced the final transfer fee. L’Equipe highlighted that Jaouen’s “profile is perfectly” suited to the demands of the Premier League.
At 2 meters tall, Jaouen is known for his commanding presence in the penalty area and his strength in defending set-piece situations, an increasingly important attribute in the modern game. He is also a modern goalkeeper, comfortable participating in build-up play and displaying composure under pressure, often venturing out of his box to offer a passing option. Last season, Jaouen conceded only 0.91 goals per game across all competitions, bettering his expected conceded goals (xCG) of 0.97, though some scouts have noted potential difficulties reaching low shots.
Newcastle’s investment in Jaouen represents a calculated risk, given his lack of experience at the highest level. The fee places considerable expectation on the 20-year-old as he arrives at St. James’ Park. The transfer echoes the situation surrounding Kepa Arrizabalaga’s move to Chelsea, who struggled to justify his record-breaking price tag, though Jaouen possesses the physical attributes to succeed. Whether he can demonstrate the necessary mental fortitude remains to be seen, but his arrival provides Newcastle with a promising long-term option in goal.
