Newcastle United's hopes of offloading goalkeeper Nick Pope to Celtic are in serious doubt after the Scottish champions suffered a damaging defeat that ended their UEFA Champions League qualification campaign.

Celtic's elimination from the Champions League — following a surprise loss to Austrian outfit LASK Linz — has dramatically altered the club's financial picture in the closing days of the summer transfer window. With Pope's move to Parkhead now on the brink of collapse, Newcastle find themselves in a difficult position as they seek to reshape their goalkeeping options.

A costly European exit

The financial consequences of Celtic's drop into the UEFA Europa League are significant. Under UEFA's prize money structure, clubs that reach the Champions League league phase receive an automatic payment of €18.62m (£15.7m). Europa League participation, by contrast, brings in just €4.31m (£3.6m) — a gap of €14.31m (£12.1m).

When factoring in the full range of potential revenue streams lost, Celtic's elimination is estimated to cost the club between £21m and £30m — a particularly painful blow given they held a lead in the tie against LASK Linz.

Pope's wages complicate the picture

At the heart of the deal's difficulties lies Pope's salary. FourFourTwo understands that his Newcastle United contract included year-on-year pay increases, meaning his current earnings are expected to exceed the wage levels Celtic typically operate within.

Newcastle remain open to sanctioning the transfer as they look to reduce their goalkeeping costs, but Celtic's ability to absorb a Premier League-level wage without the financial cushion of Champions League football is now in serious question.

Without that guaranteed revenue, Celtic's decision-makers may struggle to justify committing to Pope in the final hours of the transfer window — leaving the England goalkeeper's future uncertain as the deadline approaches.