Newcastle on the verge of signing Nick Pope from Burnley
Reports making the rounds place Newcastle United in prime position to sign Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope ahead of the summer transfer window.
Newcastle have been window shopping at every club in the Premier League and a few others outside England to scout for replacements which will come in to help the club secure a top 10 status ahead of the coming season. Their acquisition by the Saudi Arabia-backed investment fund consortium has emboldened them to go after a number of targets.
Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the man they identified as a good option in between the sticks at St James’ Park ahead of the new season but Pope emerged as a surprise option in recent times.
The Magpies may well be interested in both goalkeepers as they are set to lose two of their shot-stoppers Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman. Burnley’s relegation has made signing Pope a little easier as the 30-year-old is hoping to remain in the top flight to bolster his chances of making England’s 2022 World Cup squad.
Pope rose to prominence in the 2017/2018 season with Burnley, who, in the previous season, signed him from Charlton Athletic where he failed to hold down a starting spot. In that debut outing, he played 35 league games and was one of the revelations of that campaign.
He has since been one of the standout performers of a Burnley side who have struggled in the Premier League which also earned him his first call-up to the national team. He was also one of their best performers in the 2021/22 season which saw their struggles come to a head and send them back down into the Championship.
He could get his chance to stay in the top flight with a move to Tyneside, which, according to reports, is the likely outcome in the coming weeks.
Other Newcastle transfer targets
Newcastle are also looking to sign French youngster Hugo Ekitike from Stade de Reims and it has been reported that there is progress in the negotiations between both clubs.
It is not understood what Eddie Howe hopes to do with a strike force of Ekitike, Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Joelinton. It has been speculated that one of them could leave the club but there is no solid backing to these claims. However, Newcastle hope to complete the signing of the youngster to bolster their squad in the coming weeks and he will join as one of four strikers.
Sven Botman is another Newcastle target whose signing has given the club a tough time. The Dutchman is said to prefer a move to AC Milan after the Italian giants came into the picture soon after Newcastle identified him as a target.
LOSC Lille, Botman’s current club, are said to be dissatisfied with the offer coming from either team and have made their stance clear on how much they would sell the Netherlands international for.
Newcastle are expected to have the busiest window of all Premier League clubs, judging from their activity in the January transfer window which saw them bring in five players.
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