Leeds United 'ready to swoop' for Newcastle United's ex-Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope
Leeds United 'ready to swoop' for experienced Newcastle United figure Nick Pope
Leeds United are reportedly ready to swoop for Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope.
The 34-year-old has spent the bulk of the last decade as a Premier League regular, earning 10 England caps along the way.
He was a stalwart between the sticks for Burnley before joining Newcastle in 2022 and has since racked up 128 appearances for the Magpies.
Pope was linked with Leeds last summer, in the aftermath of Illan Meslier’s fall from prominence, but the Whites instead signed Lucas Perri from Lyon.
Perri struggled to convince manager Daniel Farke and lost his spot to Karl Darlow, just as Meslier had done during the previous campaign.
Leeds United credited with interest in Newcastle United’s Nick Pope
According to SportsBoom, Leeds are now ready to move for Pope, who will enter the final year of his Newcastle contract in the summer.
Pope has faced competition from Aaron Ramsdale at St James’ Park and no longer appears to be the indispensable figure he once was in Eddie Howe’s squad.
It has been suggested his experience is viewed as something that could prove valuable for Leeds and that he could be available for a modest £5m.
If Leeds move for Pope and hand a new deal to Darlow, they would be reuniting two goalkeepers who are familiar with each other from their time together at Newcastle.
Pope is no stranger to Yorkshire either having twice been loaned to York City during his Charlton Athletic days.
Leeds United’s goalkeeping situation
Leeds undoubtedly need to address their goalkeeping situation this summer. Although Darlow has deputised admirably, Perri does not appear to have the trust of Farke and Meslier has one foot out of the door with his deal due to expire.
In January, former Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny delivered his verdict on Darlow’s dislodging of Perri in an interview with The Yorkshire Post.
He said: "Maybe he's got more confidence in Darlow than he did last season. That can make a big difference. He might not have been 100 per cent confident last year in making that change, whereas this season he's got no doubts. As soon as a few mistakes have been made, he's made the big decision and put Darlow in. It's been a good decision.”