In response to fresh rumours that Newcastle United are pursuing Nick Pope this summer, Burnley have reaffirmed their stance of wanting to keep a hold of the goalkeeper. However, they have conceded that a Premier League move would bolster the 30-year-old’s chances of World Cup selection with England.
According to Sky Sports, Pope has echoed this belief and is pushing for a move back to the top flight to ensure he is in England manager Gareth Southgate’s thoughts for the World Cup squad come wintertime.
Fulham and Southampton have also been linked with the 30-year-old, who has another 12 months left on his Burnley contract. The Clarets also have a one-year option on Pope and are adamant in their position of keeping him at the club, with the Lancashire club reportedly asking for £40million to take Pope off their hands.
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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is keen to add to his goalkeeping options. He has tasked Newcastle’s football director Dan Ashworth with finding a suitable option to challenge Martin Dubravka for the starting spot.
Manchester United stopper Dean Henderson is also believed to be on the club’s radar. However, a deal has been agreed for Henderson with newly-promoted Nottingham Forest for an initial season-long loan with a £20million option to buy after that.
Pope managed nine clean sheets last season in a team relegated after conceding 53 goals. The former Charlton keeper has one year left on contract and is attracting plenty of interest. Earlier reports from the Daily Mail claim that Pope is wanted by a number of clubs but a move to Newcastle ‘appeals’ to the 30-year-old under new, wealthy ownership and with the progress made in a short time by the team under Howe.
Also, despite well-known criticism of Pope’s ability with his feet, Newcastle staff believe that his distribution can be improved and are discussing the advantages of bringing him in over other targets.
Howe and Newcastle have been active in their search for a goalkeeper, with Pope, Henderson, former West Ham loanee Alphonse Areola and Porto’s Diogo Costa all on the club’s radar since the turn of the month. Despite this, Newcastle’s priority remains signing a striker and a centre-back, but they are confident of shaking off the competition and pulling off a deal for Pope.
