Paul Merson has backed Newcastle United to pay ‘£40 million’ for West Ham United transfer target, Nick Pope, who was recently relegated with Burnley.
The England international was dubbed ‘very underrated’ by Merson, as clubs in the Premier League will now be queuing up for his signature after Burnley’s relegation to the Championship.
West Ham United are a club keen to bring Pope to the London Stadium next season and their eyes would have lit up when he became a Championship player.
But with Newcastle now having heavy pockets, they are also going to be looking to fish for those top talents, just like in January.
And Merson told Sky Sports News that he has no issue with paying ‘£40 million’ for Pope given that’s the fee Burnley supposedly want for him.
“I’d pay it (£40 million for Pope), I think he’s that good,” said Merson. “I think he’s very underrated.
“I think he’s a top goalkeeper. In this day and age, everybody has to have a good goalkeeper.
“Newcastle (could be an option). I know Newcastle’s goalkeeper has done great since he’s been back in.
“But I don’t think there is a problem paying £40 million for a goalkeeper, nowadays.”
POPE’S ENGLAND 2022 WORLD CUP SPOT ON THE LINE
With Pope currently a Championship player, the issue for him is that his 2022 World Cup spot for England is on the line.
Will Gareth Southgate continue to pick him if he remains at Burnley? Perhaps not.
But, moving to the likes of West Ham or Newcastle would throw those doubts away and all-but guarantee him a spot.
All he then needs to do is maintain his form and he will earn that spot because he is one of the keepers behind Jordan Pickford.
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