OPINION
Newcastle United must do all they can to sign Burnley’s Nick Pope after being reported as interested in the goalkeeper, as he would be a long-term solution to their problem between the sticks.
The Sun reported that the Magpies would try to sign the 25-year-old if he lost his top spot at Turf Moor, which could happen due to Tom Heaton returning from injury.
The newspaper claim that while Sean Dyche wants to keep both talented goalkeepers at the club, he faces an impossible task in doing so as they will be competing for game time.
Pope has made 27 appearances this season, following Heaton dislocating his shoulder in September, and has put in some impressive performances.
The 25-year-old has been instrumental in Burnley defying expectations to sit seventh in the Premier League and has proven himself to be a goalkeeper worthy of regularly playing in the top-flight.
However despite putting in some noteworthy performances, it does seems likely that Heaton will reclaim top spot at Burnley due to his experience and past displays.
Therefore this will give the Magpies an opportunity to sign Pope.
Newcastle United should want to sign Burnley’s goalkeeper as their performances during this campaign have indicated that they need a new man between the sticks.
Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow have both shown themselves to be incapable of performing to the required standard of the Premier League this season.
Darlow has conceded 15 goals in the 10 league appearances he has made this season, with Elliot not fairing much better, as he has let in 21 goals in 16 Premier League outings.
Rafa Benitez’s lack of faith in Darlow and Elliot is also shown by the Magpies signing Martin Dubravka in January.
The Slovakian goalkeeper has only made one appearance so far, but it was a stellar outing that instantly saw him adored by fans as he kept a clean sheet against Premier League giants Manchester United.
Now The Sun also reported that the Magpies could buy Dubravka for £3.5million at the end of his loan deal, and while based on his one outing that seems wise, Pope is the better option.
The Burnley goalkeeper is four years younger than Dubravka and can currently match what the Slovakian has to offer.
Pope, given his age, will also no doubt improve upon the current standard he is playing at.
Whereas, it’s unlikely that the 29-year-old Dubravka will get any better than he currently is.
For these reasons, Newcastle United must go all out to sign Pope from Burnley if he drops to the bench upon Heaton’s return.