Burnley must be ready to beat Leeds United to Newcastle transfer - they have a key advantage | OneFootball

With James Trafford linked with a move to Newcastle this summer, the future of Nick Pope is uncertain. Burnley should be prepared to enter the race.

With Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford linked with a move to Newcastle United, Nick Pope may be set to become the second choice at St James' Park.

Pope could become a name earmarked for a move away over the summer, due to reports suggesting that Trafford is the number one goalkeeping target for the Magpies.

Pope joined Newcastle from Burnley in the summer of 2022 and has been the club's number one goalkeeper since. As per reports from Alan Nixon and, more recently, the Daily Mail, Leeds United are interested in securing the services of the 33-year-old as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.

With Trafford being the key to this potential saga, Burnley need to be ready to attempt to beat Leeds and secure the return of Pope if a move to Tyneside materialises for their impressive English goalkeeper.

Nick Pope faces an uncertain future at Newcastle

The 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 Newcastle side were 2-0 up to deny their opponents a way back into the game earlier than they did.

However, with Trafford linked, The Mirror have reported that Newcastle are open to offers for their star goalkeeper this summer, ahead of what is set to be Pope's final 12 months under contract on Tyneside next season.

Despite this, the goalkeeper has recently expressed his desire to stay at the club and fight for the number one spot.

Leeds want Pope, but Burnley could hold an advantage

Leeds desperately need a safe, steady and reliable pair of hands in between the sticks, and Pope would surely bring all of those qualities to Elland Road and give them the perfect route, moving on from Illan Meslier.

Armed with the knowledge that Newcastle could be open to offers, Leeds may very well see this as a golden opportunity to bag themselves a proven Premier League shot-stopper, and one with international pedigree to boot.

However, fellow-promoted Burnley could hold a key advantage over Leeds. In a similar fashion to that of Leeds, the Clarets will be looking to secure their Premier League ability between the sticks should Trafford depart.

Behind Trafford this term, ex-Ipswich man Vaclav Hladky has played second fiddle ahead of English-Frenchman Etienne Green, with Hladky making the only Championship appearance between the pair in a 5-0 win against Cardiff City back in August when there was speculation surrounding Trafford sticking around.

The Czech shot-stopper, who arrived on a free transfer last summer, also made three appearances in the FA Cup, alongside one in the Carabao Cup. He wasn't fancied for the Premier League by Ipswich Town 12 months ago, and that's likely the same situation at Turf Moor.

At 34, Hladky brings valuable experience, but a departure for Trafford would force the club into a race to find not only a goalkeeper of similar quality but also one who, like Pope, is proven at Premier League level.

As for Pope, he joined the Clarets from Charlton Athletic in 2016 and went on to grab the number one spot from Tom Heaton in the 2017/18 season under Sean Dyche.

The goalkeeper became a name synonymous with Burnley's most successful top-flight period in recent history, and this history could become crucial should Burnley make a move for Pope over the summer months. For both Burnley and Leeds, Pope would bring fantastic experience, with his spell at the former leaving him in-debt for putting him on the stage he currently is.

For Leeds, 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 in March proved to be the breaking point in Daniel Farke's patience with the Frenchman.

Karl 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.

With it being reported that Meslier will be sold in the summer, Pope emerged as one of Leeds' main targets to take charge between the sticks from the start of next season.

Trafford, though, holds the key to this specific exchange. Should he make a move to Newcastle, Burnley simply have to be ready to battle with Leeds for the signature of their ex-man as Scott Parker's side prepare for life back in the Premier League.