Leeds United are prioritising a new goalkeeper this summer with Illan Meslier’s future at Elland Road all but over, but The Whites have already missed out on Caoimhin Kelleher.
With Mark Flekken set to leave Brentford for Bayer Leverkusen, Thomas Frank’s Bees have moved quickly to land Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool. Leeds fans were left stunned that Kelleher will only cost £18m.
But more importantly, it leaves Leeds having to go back to the drawing board and finding themselves a new goalkeeper to target. Plenty of goalkeepers have already been linked with a move to Elland Road.
Four England internationals are on the list including Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone, but it is another that Leeds are seemingly targeting now. Reports now say that Leeds will turn their attention to Nick Pope.
What Charlie Taylor said about Leeds United target Nick Pope
Of course, Pope remains Newcastle’s first-choice, but Eddie Howe is set to pursue a £30m deal for James Trafford. The Burnley star was one of three nominees for the Championship Player of the Season award.
Speaking to the Premier League’s YouTube channel in 2021, Leeds academy product and Pope’s former Burnley teammate Charlie Taylor said “unbelievable” Pope is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
“Obviously with Nick Pope now, he’s getting his recognition with England and rightly so. He’s incredible with his hands. Obviously I’m biased, but I think he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
“Definitely, for shot-stopping. Sometimes, I genuinely think he’s unstoppable, you can’t get past him. I’m biased, but I train with him every day. He’s unbelievable, I think he can be no.1 for England,” he added.
Which other goalkeepers are on Leeds United’s radar?
With Kelleher now off to Brentford and Pope a target, Leeds are also being linked with Wolves’ out-of-favour stopper Sam Johnstone. A deal looks easily done there, as he remains second choice to Jose Sa.
But a move for Johnstone is likely to be deemed underwhelming by Leeds fans. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich back-up goalkeeper Daniel Peretz has been linked, who is an Israel teammate of winger Manor Solomon.
Aaron Ramsdale and James Trafford have also been touted with Leeds, though the latter is expected to join Newcastle and pave the way for Pope to leave St. James’ Park, which in-turn helps Leeds get Pope.
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