Leeds must step up Nick Pope chase as Newcastle plan clear, he's a big upgrade on Karl Darlow

Leeds United must do everything in their power to convince Newcastle United to sell goalkeeper Nick Pope this summer.

The Whites have been heavily linked with a move for the 34-year-old in recent weeks, with both clubs in the market for a new starting gloveman in the coming months.

Pope lost his place at Aaron Ramsdale in the middle of the campaign, and his future at St James' Park is now shrouded in huge uncertainty.

Recent reports have suggested that the former England international could be available for as little as £5million this summer, which surely makes a move to sign him a no-brainer for Leeds.

They are still trying to resolve Karl Darlow's contract situation ahead of him potentially leaving for free, while Lucas Perri is also not seen as a viable option.

It looks increasingly likely that Pope will be on the move ahead of next season, and Daniel Farke and Co. must ensure it is they who land him.

Nick Pope planning pre-season with Newcastle

Pope's future has become a major topic of discussion on Tyneside, and the recent links with both Leeds and Ipswich have only heightened that.

The Whites were interested in signing him last summer, but Chronicle Live understand that no approach for him has been made this time around, for now at least.

The veteran stopper is planning to report for pre-season training with the Magpies as normal, which should be an indication to Leeds that they need to do more if they want to prise him away.

Pope would represent a shrewd piece of business for the Elland Road side, given the ample experience that he possesses as a Premier League starter.

He didn't enjoy his best season in 2025-26, but still ended the campaign with a stronger save percentage than Darlow at 70.1 per cent, and also made more saves per 90 minutes in the league.

That is enough evidence alone to suggest that he would be a significant upgrade on the Welshman, even if he only provided a short-term solution.

Nevertheless, with the goalkeeper market looking relatively thin for bottom-half Premier League clubs this summer, it is surely a no-brainer for Leeds to step up their interest in Pope.

Daniel Farke must be wary of one key Nick Pope weakness

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that Leeds will accept an offer for Perri this summer, provided they can get a replacement through the door.

Pope is a prime candidate to become that for them, but Farke must still be wary of a key weakness that has emerged in his game in recent years.

The former Charlton man is part of a dying breed of old-school goalkeepers, and has proven at times that he is not as adept with his feet as some other Premier League stoppers.

That has led to him making some high-profile errors for Newcastle at times, and could potentially scare managers away from looking at him as an option.

However, the key for Farke would be trying to find a way to work around that, rather than allowing it to sway him away from a move for Pope.