£60,000 a week perfect deal to seal?” – Leeds United backed to sign £60k-a-week Newcastle United star
Nick Pope Tipped as “Ideal Signing” for Leeds United – But Move Seen as Unlikely
Nick Pope has been described as a “fantastic signing” for Leeds United, though hopes of landing the Newcastle United goalkeeper have been played down.
As Leeds continue their push for automatic promotion back to the Premier League, questions persist over their goalkeeping options.
Illan Meslier, the club’s long-time No.1, has recently been dropped following a string of costly errors.
Reports suggest Leeds are planning to recruit a new goalkeeper this summer, regardless of which division they find themselves in. One name linked with the club is England international Nick Pope.
Calls for Stability in Goal as Darlow Steps Up
Daniel Farke had largely stuck by Meslier throughout the season, but opted for Karl Darlow in the recent 1-1 draw at Luton Town. Darlow retained his place for the following fixture against Middlesbrough, where he kept a clean sheet in a vital 1-0 win that sent Leeds back to the top of the Championship table.
Ger Lynch, Leeds expert at Football League World, believes the club needs a more composed and consistent figure between the posts. He sees Pope as the perfect fit.
“Nick Pope would be a fantastic signing for Leeds United,” Lynch said. “He’s exactly the type of goalkeeper they need — calm, reliable, and not someone who draws headlines for the wrong reasons. That’s what Leeds have been lacking in goal for years.”
While Pope has featured 20 times for Newcastle this season, his £60,000-per-week salary and experience at a top-level club could make a move to Leeds difficult.
Premier League Competition Expected for Pope’s Signature
Despite Pope fitting the profile Leeds are after, Lynch admitted the odds are against the Whites securing his services.
“I’d be surprised if Newcastle let him go so easily,” he said. “And even if they did, there’d be serious competition from other Premier League clubs who’ve been more established over the last decade than Leeds.”
He added that Leeds would likely need to outbid rivals or offer a more attractive wage package to stand a chance.
Still, he cast doubt on the likelihood of a deal happening, drawing comparisons to Aaron Ramsdale’s ill-fated move to Southampton.
“Pope is the right kind of goalkeeper for Leeds — no doubt,” Lynch concluded. “But whether he’s actually gettable? Probably not. I’d love to see it happen though.”
