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Leeds eyeing Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope
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Leeds United are preparing for Karl Darlow to leave Elland Road this summer and are considering signing Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope, (h/t Daily Mail).
Darlow played a key role for Leeds as the club secured their Premier League status for another season, keeping five clean sheets in 22 appearances (goals prevented -1.50).
However, his contract with the club is up this summer, prompting Leeds to enter the market for a replacement, and they have landed on the experienced Pope.
The England international (10 caps) kept seven shut-outs in 27 league appearances, recording goals prevented of -3.50, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Newcastle have gone out to sign a new goalkeeper, paving the way for Leeds to pounce for Pope, who has a year left on his deal and will likely move for a very affordable sum.
It is worth noting that Leeds have other options on their transfer shortlist, and there is no guarantee they will push hard to land the outstanding 34-year-old shot-stopper.
However, Pope would represent a short-term fix rather than a solution for the future.
Leeds have worked hard to re-establish themselves in the league and should target players who can grow with the project, not keepers in the final stages of their careers.
There is a reason Newcastle are willing to move on.
Pope remains a capable shot-stopper, but his mobility and overall reliability have declined. His underlying numbers last season were among the weakest in the division.
A more sensible target for the West Yorkshire club would be Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez.
The 28-year-old is expected to attract interest this summer and, despite occasional high-profile errors when playing out from the back, he remains a strong goalkeeper.
Sanchez posted a respectable goals prevented figure of +1.70 last season and is still firmly in his prime years.
His experience, athleticism and potential resale value make him a far more logical investment for the Peacocks.
If Leeds are spending money on a new No. 1, they should be looking forward rather than backwards, and Sanchez fits that brief far better than Pope.
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