Leeds United eyeing £60k-a-week Newcastle United player & Burnley record-breaker | OneFootball

Leeds United are reportedly moving on from Illan Meslier this summer - no matter what division they are in next year

Leeds United are sounding out potential replacements for goalkeeper Illan Meslier, with England internationals, Nick Pope and James Trafford, named as targets for the Whites this summer.

After a series of high-profile calamities, goalie Meslier was dropped for the first time this season by Leeds boss Daniel Farke as the Whites drew 1-1 away at Luton Town on Saturday.

Meslier’s mistakes have undermined Leeds United’s promotion credentials, with the Whites slipping out of the Championship automatic promotion spots in recent weeks.

Leeds United add Nick Pope and James Trafford to transfer shortlist

On Alan Nixon’s personal Patreon it is claimed that two players that have been involved in the England international set-up are on Leeds United’s shortlist for the goalkeeping position.

Newcastle United’s Nick Pope and Burnley’s James Trafford have been touted as targets for Leeds, with the latter included in Thomas Tuchel’s first squad as England manager in March.

Pope has been first-choice goalkeeper under Eddie Howe for the Toon, but has seen his gametime limited by two different injuries in the last two campaigns.

His 2023/24 season was cut in half by a shoulder injury, whilst a knee issue forced the 32-year-old to take a spell out on the sidelines earlier this campaign.

Interestingly, Trafford has repeatedly been linked to a move to Newcastle as an upgrade on Pope, which could inadvertently lead to the latter being available to Leeds this summer.

Trafford has turned heads thanks to his performances during Burnley’s record-setting run of consecutive Championship clean sheets, with the former Manchester City starlet bouncing back from a tough season in the Premier League with the Clarets.

Nixon also claimed in the Sun that Leeds will aim to move Meslier on from Elland Road no matter their division for next season, implying that even if Leeds miss out on promotion to the Premier League they will look to bring in a new starting goalkeeper.

Leeds United’s pursuit of top goalkeeping targets likely dependent on promotion

However, whilst Leeds have identified two top goalies to replace the errant Meslier, it appears more than likely that the Whites must achieve promotion to the Premier League to tempt either ‘keeper to Elland Road.

Capology estimates that Nick Pope is on £60,000 a week until the end of the 2025/26, representing a financial challenge for Leeds.

Leeds might also have to hope that Burnley do not achieve promotion alongside them, with James Trafford having already shown loyalty to the Clarets.

Despite heavy links to a move back to the Premier League, Trafford has re-established himself as first choice at Turf Moor after being dropped towards the tail end of the 2023/24 campaign.

If Burnley return to the top flight this summer, it feels unlikely that Trafford would cross the Pennines and join Leeds.

However, if Leeds go up and Burnley stay down in the Championship, the Whites might be able to convince the 22-year-old to swap Lancashire for Yorkshire.