LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Nick Pope of Burnley reacts during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Burnley at Selhurst Park on February 13, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by John Walton - Pool/Getty Images)
According to BetFair (h/t The Sun), West Ham are one of the clubs who are in the running to sign Nick Pope and have been placed as outsiders in the race alongside Tottenham and Liverpool.
The Burnley shot-stopper has impressed over the last few seasons and has firmly established himself as the number one at Burnley.
Pope, 28, rose through the ranks of Ipswich Town and joined Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2011. However, he initially spent most of his time on loan in the lower leagues, playing for clubs like Cambridge United, York City and Bury FC. He then made the jump to Burnley in the summer of 2016.
Though he struggled to get regular game time in his first season with the Clarets, he became a regular member since the 2017/18 campaign. Last season, he was one of the standout shot-stoppers in the top-flight, missing out on the Golden Glove to Manchester City’s Ederson, who kept 16 clean sheets.
West Ham aren’t really crying out for a new goalkeeper at the moment, with Lukasz Fabianski firmly established as the No.1 between the sticks. The veteran Pole has looked really formidable this term after an injury-ravaged campaign last time around.
However, Fabianski is set to turn 36 in April and is out of contract at the end of the season. West Ham need to line up some younger alternatives to replace their current first-choice. Back-up goalkeepers Darren Randolph (33) and David Martin (35) are also nearing the twilight of their careers, with the latter’s contract also due to expire next summer.
To that end, Pope would be a fantastic signing for the Hammers. The English international has been in sensational form this season and was one of the key players in Burnley’s good run of form in the second half of last campaign.
He managed to keep 15 clean sheets in 38 games last season, just one less than City’s Ederson. Pope looks like a very good choice for West Ham to eventually replace Fabianski.