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Journalist has given insight into Nick Pope's thoughts on Leeds United move as Newcastle United …

· 18 June 2025, 18:00

**Nick Pope has been a fantastic goalkeeper at Newcastle United since his £10m move from Burnley, but the feeling at the club is that they need better.**

There aren't many better shot stoppers in the Premier League than Nick Pope, and of course, that is the primary purpose of a goalkeeper, but in the modern game, they're now expected to do more and to be able to contribute to the build-up of play with their feet.

This is where Nick Pope comes a cropper. You can almost hear a pin drop when the ball is played back to Pope's feet these days, as you just never know what's going to happen. Usually, it's a hopeful hoof that he shanks out of play, but there are times when he's tried to play out with his feet, and it has put Newcastle in immediate danger.

We don't expect our goalkeepers to have the footwork of Ronaldinho, but the ability to play a range of passes accurately would be nice.

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James Trafford is wanted by Eddie Howe

Nick Pope wants to stay at Newcastle despite James Trafford pursuit

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This is where Newcastle feel things would improve if they brought in James Trafford, who they have been chasing for years, and if they do that, it almost inevitably spells the end for Nick Pope at Newcastle, at least as the first-choice goalkeeper.

However, Nick Pope knows that his position is under threat, and despite interest from elsewhere, namely Leeds United, Pope is determined to stay at Newcastle, as confirmed by [Graeme Bailey to TBR Football.](https://tbrfootball.com/nick-pope-has-made-feelings-clear-about-leeds-united-move-it-could-impact-newcastles-40m-transfer-plans/)

> “(Despite interest from Leeds) Nick Pope doesn’t want to leave Newcastle United. He thinks he’s still capable of playing.“He’s known that they’ve wanted Trafford since last summer. Newcastle are refusing to pay the £40m that Burnley would need – at least £40m – to get him.

>

> “It’s not that Eddie Howe doesn’t love Pope, he just thinks they can improve in that area. When you become title challengers, it’s the 1% or 2% here and there that can improve you. That’s where Newcastle are interested in improving.”

What's the best move for Newcastle's first-choice goalkeeper selection?

* Bring in Trafford and keep Pope

* Bring in Trafford and sell Pope

* Keep Pope and bring in a different 'keeper to Trafford

* Sell Pope and bring in a different 'keeper to Trafford

2 votes · 2 days left

The James Trafford saga feels like it will roll on for a while

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The stalemate in negotiations between Newcastle and Burnley makes us glad that Pope hasn't packed his bags ready for a move, as this looks like it could drag on for a while now.

And truth be told, as much as we appreciate James Trafford and believe he is the future for England, he is still a goalkeeper foetus and we'd still like to keep the old head of Nick Pope around just in case.

We've got plenty of other goalkeepers we can get rid of before we start looking to get shot of Nick Pope.

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