Leeds United agree £15m deal after interest in second Newcastle United player
Leeds United showed interest in Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope but are set to sign somebody else.
Leeds United are officially set to end their interest in Newcastle United’s Nick Pope as they close in on signing a new goalkeeper.
Leeds already have Illan Meslier and former Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow in their squad but have been targeting a new number one following their return to the Premier League.
Pope is among several goalkeepers who have been considered by the Whites but a potential deal has always seemed a non-starter with Newcastle wanting him to stay. The 33-year-old has also shown no desire to leave St James’ Park.
Leeds United complete goalkeeper signing amid Nick Pope interest
As Pope prepares to remain as Newcastle’s number one for another season, Leeds are set to bring in Lyon for goalkeeper Lucas Perri in a deal worth a reported £15million.
Sources in France say the deal is in its final stages, with our sister title Yorkshire Evening Post revealing that Perri will fly to Leeds’ pre-season training camp in Germany to undergo his medical.
The Brazilian will become Leeds' seventh signing of the summer window, joining former Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, who joined last week for a £15million.
Nick Pope set to stay at Newcastle United
Attempts to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford had cast doubt over Pope’s future. Newcastle didn’t want him to lose him regardless, but that stance has only strengthened in the past week with a deal for Trafford now unlikely.
The Magpies had been in talks with Burnley and as reported by NewcastleWorld were close to agreeing a fee for the 22-year-old before the Clarets moved the goalposts a few weeks ago.
The delay has seen Manchester City register their interest in re-signing Trafford. Pep Guardiola’s side have a £40million buy-back clause, as well as a three-day window to match any accepted bid.
A City move is dependent on Man City offloading either Ederson and Stefan Ortega, with the former attracting serious interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Eddie Howe hails Nick Pope
Speaking earlier this year, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe named Pope as ‘one of the best shot stoppers’ he’s worked with.
He said: “Yeah, it may seem funny to say that about a goalkeeper because that is obviously what they are there to do but I do think he’s one of the best shot stoppers I’ve had the privilege to work with.
“He has this ability to get his positioning right and he has long levers, big arms and legs that he manages to get touches on balls some other goalkeepers wouldn’t because of his size and stature.”
Pope joined Newcastle from Burnley in the summer of 2022 and immediately established himself as number one, displacing the long-serving Martin Dubravka.
In three seasons on Tyneside, the 10-capped England international has twice helped the club qualify for the Champions League as well as win the Carabao Cup.