Newcastle United hope to complete their second signing of the season by adding Nick Pope to their squad for the 2022/23 season today.
A fee in the region of £12million with potential add ons to follow has been agreed with relegated Burnley who decided to sell Pope before his contract expires next summer. However, with Southampton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest also interested in Pope it is thought that first-team assurances were sought from the 6ft 3in stopper.
Indeed, Chronicle Live understands that Pope wants a genuine tilt at the number 1 spot on Tyneside with the World Cup in Qatar just around the corner. Pope was one of England's keepers in the UEFA Nations League matches this summer but didn't get an opportunity with Aaron Ramsdale and Jordan Pickford featuring in the four matches against Hungary (twice), Italy and Germany.