"I would be shocked" - Leeds United backed to sign £60k-a-week Newcastle United star | OneFootball

Leeds United are reportedly on the hunt for an Illan Meslier replacement - with Nick Pope's name mentioned as a potential target

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Nick Pope would be a “fantastic signing” for Leeds United, but the Whites’ chances of signing the Newcastle United goalkeeper have been downplayed.

Leeds are closing in on a return to the Premier League, as they battle for a top two spot in the second tier.

Much has been made of Leeds’ goalkeeping situation, with first-choice Illan Meslier dropped for recent Whites’ games after multiple high-profile mistakes.

It has been reported in recent weeks that Leeds will look to bring in a new goalkeeper no matter their division for next season – with Nick Pope’s name mentioned as a potential target.

Leeds United told to find goalkeeper that is not a "headline-grabber"

Whilst Leeds boss Daniel Farke has backed Illan Meslier for the majority of the season, the German decided to pick Karl Darlow for the Whites’ trip to Luton Town at the weekend.

Although Leeds did not win at Kenilworth Road, drawing 1-1, Darlow kept his place in the side for Leeds’ clash with play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough, keeping a clean sheet as the Whites won 1-0 to retake first position in a topsy-turvy promotion battle.

Leeds are clearly looking to upgrade in between the sticks, with Football League World's resident Whites expert Ger Lynch believing that his side require a calming presence in goal.

England international Pope enters the final year of his contract at Newcastle this summer, where he reportedly earns £60,000 a week according to Capology.com estimates.

Asked whether he felt Pope was a realistic transfer target for Leeds, Ger told Football League World: “Nick Pope would be a fantastic signing for Leeds United.

“I think he's exactly the type of goalkeeper Leeds should be looking to bring in.

“He’s a calming influence at the back, the headlines aren't about him, he just does his job, quietly goes about it and that's all you want from your a goalkeeper.

“Unfortunately we’ve been stuck with a goalkeeper, and goalkeepers over the last five or six years that have been in the media, a headline-grabber more than they’ve needed to be.

“So a nice, calming influence in goal would be lovely to have, and Nick Pope falls into that bracket.

“He has 20 games under his belt this season for Newcastle, but I would be shocked if Newcastle were to let him go that easily in the summer.”

Leeds United would have to beat Premier League clubs to Nick Pope’s signature

Whilst believing it a tall ask for Leeds to sign Nick Pope, Ger did outline a possible scenario where the Whites could tempt the goalkeeper to swap Tyneside for Yorkshire.

Ger continued: “Then I think there would be competition from other Premier League clubs, who may be more established in the Premier League over the last 10 years as Premier League clubs than Leeds.

“I think Leeds would need to outbid somebody, maybe offer more money in terms of wages, that kind of thing to get him.

“He's the right keeper, but I think the payment structure might be difficult for Leeds.

“And I think there will be competition from more established Premier League clubs.

“You look at Aaron Ramsdale this year going to Southampton, I think he thought that they'd bring enough in to maybe establish themselves in the Premier League - that hasn't happened and he's gonna leave them.

“So I don't think in terms of the kind of signing Leeds could bring in, I don't think Pope is the ‘keeper they will get.

“I would love him though, however. I think he's the right type of goalkeeper.”