Leeds United ‘handed major boost’ to seal Nick Pope transfer
Leeds United are reportedly keen on signing Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope in the coming weeks.
Illan Meslier has struggled for the Elland Road outfit and Daniel Farke is eyeing an upgrade on the Frenchman.
Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are said to be keen on signing Meslier in the summer transfer window, so an exit cannot be ruled out.
Newcastle identify James Trafford as Pope replacement
According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle plan to accelerate their pursuit of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
The Magpies want to get the deal over the line quickly, which would likely make him their number one.
Leeds have already made an approach to sign Pope (Chronicle Live, 3 June), and it will now be easier to sign him, given that Newcastle are planning on signing an upgrade.
Thus far, no bid has been tabled for the England international by the Elland Road side.
Leeds United must replace Meslier with Pope
Pope represents a significant upgrade over Meslier for Leeds United due to his proven Premier League pedigree and reliability.
With over 200 top-flight appearances and 10 England caps, Pope brings a wealth of experience, contrasting with Meslier’s error-prone 2024-25 Championship season, where his mistakes cost the Whites crucial points despite 21 clean sheets.
| Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Yellow Cards | Second Yellows | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 35 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Pope’s commanding presence, evidenced by his standout performances for Newcastle, offers the stability Leeds need for Premier League survival.
Meslier, dropped by Farke for the final seven games, struggles with consistency, while Pope’s track record suggests he can handle the top flight’s intensity.
The Whites must prioritise signing Pope to bolster their defence, as his experience and composure could anchor a squad aiming to avoid relegation.
With Meslier likely to depart, securing Pope swiftly is critical to ensure a smooth transition.