Leeds United must sign £60k-a-week PL star in June - He'd be a major transfer coup | OneFootball

Nick Pope has been linked with a move to Elland Road, with Illan Meslier's future with the club all but over.

Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship table on Tuesday evening, as they ran out 1-0 winners away at Middlesbrough, while both Burnley and Sheffield United dropped points.

The Whites had found themselves on a major dive in form before making the journey to the Riverside in mid-week, with three successive draws in the league halting the momentum that they had built up over the last few months.

Nevertheless, Daniel Farke's side looked back to their usual best against Boro, with Dan James scoring inside the opening two minutes to hand the West Yorkshire outfit a lead that they never let go of. Both Ao Tanaka and Patrick Bamford controversially had goals disallowed for offside, but their team was still able to take all three points.

It was a huge evening in the race for promotion to the Premier League, but it was an even bigger night for Karl Darlow, who kept his first clean sheet since Illan Meslier was dropped - however, it is clear to see that Leeds need a new number one, and Newcastle United may have the perfect player for them.

Nick Pope would be a coup for Leeds in the summer

Mistakes have plagued Meslier's time at Elland Road, and his dropped catch against Swansea City that led to their first equaliser in a 2-2 draw just after the international break proved to be the breaking point in Farke's patience with the Frenchman.

Darlow was brought in for the Whites' away game against Luton Town, and despite being held to a 1-1 draw by the relegation-threatened side, the former Nottingham Forest shot-stopper kept his place in the team.

But, with Alan Nixon reporting that Meslier will be sold in the summer, whether promotion is won or not, Nick Pope has emerged as one of Leeds' main targets to take charge between the posts from the start of next season, with James Trafford also shortlisted.

The Newcastle goalkeeper has been a favourite of Eddie Howe in 2024/25, but with the Magpies pushing for Champions League football, and with interest being shown in Aaron Ramsdale, a deal could be made.

A move would not come cheaply for Leeds, with Capology estimating his current wage to be £60,000-a-week, but a return to the Premier League would allow them to offer the 10-time-capped England international a contract that may interest him.

Pope's experience speaks for itself

The soon-to-be 33-year-old has spent the majority of his career in the top flight, racking up 213 appearances in the division for Burnley and Newcastle, while also keeping 72 clean sheets.

He proved to be crucial in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in March, keeping out Curtis Jones spectacularly while his side were 2-0 up to deny their opponents a way back into the game earlier than they did.

Moments like that will attract Farke's attention, as he has found it incredibly difficult to rely on his goalkeeper at all this season, and having that safe pair of hands will only strengthen Leeds for the 2025/26 campaign.

With Newcastle open to selling Pope, it would not be a surprise to see an offer made by the Whites in the summer, but it may just rely on promotion being won.