Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that Nick Pope is a target for West Ham United – and his recent relegation has made him ‘more appealing’.
At the end of the Premier League season, Burnley’s defeat against Newcastle United confirmed the club will be playing in the Championship next term.
While this is a bitter bill to swallow for many following the Clarets, it could provide a handy transfer boost to West Ham, who have an interest in their goalkeeper.
Should West Ham sign Nick Pope?
Yes
No
Indeed, while writing on The West Ham Way Patreon page, Ex revealed that the Hammers are keen on a move for Pope after his relegation, while he also suggested Josh Brownhill could be a target too.
He wrote: “Talks have been going on with Areola but wages are an issue still as he is on £125k with PSG. Nick Pope is also a target and Burnley’s relegation has made this even more appealing, as does Josh Brownhill.”
TIF Thoughts on Nick Pope and West Ham…
While the future of current Irons goalkeeper Alphonse Areola remains unclear – high wages could prevent David Moyes from turning his loan move into a permanent switch – West Ham may well enter the transfer market in the summer for a new shot-stopper.
If this is the case, it’s easy to see the appeal of Pope. At one point, with things being so tight down at the bottom of the table, it did look as though his performance against Aston Villa would potentially be enough to get Burnley to safety. In that match, he picked up an 8.2 player rating on SofaScore, while in the game before against Tottenham Hotspur, he starred again with a 7.7 rating.
Declan Rice is already a big fan of the goalkeeper as he showered praise on him after the Hammers’ clash with Burnley earlier this season, calling him ‘one of the best’. Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp even called him ‘sensational’.
Sadly for Pope, it wasn’t enough to keep his side up. However, just as Ex says, his relegation could open the door for West Ham to steal him away this summer.
In other news: ‘Rave reviews’ – Ex claims WHUFC coaches ‘really rate’ former ace; he now wants England return