Nick Pope pushes to quit Burnley as West Ham United aim to take advantage of £40m twist
West Ham want to take advantage of Burnley’s financial issues to sign England goalkeeper Nick Pope, according to talkSPORT.
The broadcaster reports that Pope, 30, is “pushing for a move from Turf Moor” in order to secure his spot in the England World Cup squad later this year.
It is understood that with the Hammers “set to be one of the most active clubs this summer”, they’re willing to try and sign Pope with Burnley struggling for cash.
TalkSPORT says that Burnley’s American owners ALK Capital had to take out a £65million loan to buy the relegated club earlier this year.
However, £40million of that “now has to be repaid immediately due to a relegation clause”.
Do we need him?
If Lukasz Fabianski is staying and reports elsewhere about Alphonse Areola are to be believed – why would we need to sign Pope from Burnley?
Sky Sports News journalist Dharmesh Sheth reported on 25 May that the Hammers are set to exercise their option to sign Areola permanently from Paris Saint-Germain this summer after the French goalkeeper spent the season on loan in East London.
Sure, Pope is a good goalkeeper.
But do you really need three top-class Premier League goalkeepers in your squad?
Pope is very good, let’s be honest.
Some of his performances for Burnley have kept them in the top-flight.
However, this season was one step too far for the eight-time England international, who definitely deserves to be playing in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for him, most Premier League clubs have good goalkeepers on their books already.
Sam Johnstone is a free agent too, and clubs might rather sign him than pay a fee for Pope.
West Ham won’t be signing him, let’s put it that way.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are in advanced talks to seal their first major new signing of the summer transfer window.
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