As the gulf between the Championship and Premier League threatens to get wider, more and more clubs in the second tier are looking towards top flight stars to bolster their squads.

Leeds United are one of them, with fresh reports linking another Newcastle player with joining the Yorkshire club this summer.

Being a starting player for Eddie Howe however, it may take some other incomings and outgoings to see this particular player leave Tyneside anytime soon.

Leeds interested in Pope

According to Alan Nixon at The Sun, Leeds United are in the market for a new goalkeeper, with Burnley’s James Trafford and Newcastle’s Nick Pope on the shortlist to replace the out-of-form Illan Meslier.

Leeds, who already have former Magpie Karl Darlow on their books, would be vastly improved by Pope, who still looks strong in between the sticks after coming back from injury earlier this year.

A goalkeeper is an absolute must for Daniel Farke’s side, with Meslier’s recent performances putting the club at serious jeopardy of missing out on automatic promotion to Burnley and Sheffield United, which invites Newcastle to cash in on the interest for the 32-year-old.

Pope would also join Sean Longstaff, and if rumours were to be believed, Matt Targett as potential signings for The Whites: all of whom bring immense experience that could help Leeds next season regardless of what league they’re playing in.

Newcastle’s place in negotiations

Eddie Howe finds himself in both a fortunate and unfortunate situation here in regards to his keepers.

Pope has been his go-to since he was signed from the Clarets back in 2022, even returning to the starting XI for the recent Carabao Cup triumph despite the strong performances of Martin Dubravka. Having two solid options is a welcome selection headache for Howe.

However, James Trafford has been the target of a long term pursuit by Howe and his team, and to miss out on a young keeper could put Newcastle in a precarious situation with two ageing shot-stoppers and no up-and-coming back up.

Who should stay? Who should go?

With Newcastle tipped as the frontrunners to sign James Trafford, and with the player himself declaring he plans to play Premier League football next season, this should give the Toon the edge in negotiations over both Burnley and Leeds who aren’t assured of automatic promotion just yet.

And with the likes of Odysseas Vlachodimos and Mark Gillespie not being linked with moves away just yet this summer, it’s looking increasingly likely that one of Pope or Dubravka will be moving on to pastures new.

Out of the pair, the potential value of Nick Pope leaving cannot be understated: Leeds United being in such desperate need for a new goalkeeper could see the club pay big for a player with both Premier League and Champions League experience.

Additionally, could Newcastle orchestrate a deal that Burnley can’t refuse? Pope and money for Trafford would not only allow Scott Parker’s side to not worry about having to find a Prem-proven keeper for next season, but allow them to recoup some money that they can use elsewhere in the squad.