West Ham United want Nick Pope – but may face paying £40million rather than the £12million they initially expected for the Burnley goalkeeper.
The Hammers ended their season with a 3-1 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion.
That means Europa Conference League football for the Hammers, who couldn’t quite take advantage of Manchester United’s latest slip-up.
Still, another top seven finish and a Europa League semi-final under David Moyes means it has been a superb season for West Ham.
West Ham will be looking to recruit new signings this summer to try and progress again, with Burnley stopper Pope wanted.
West Ham United want Nick Pope
The Times reported in April that West Ham were looking to pounce for Pope if Burnley were relegated.
The fee mentioned was £12million with West Ham seeking to make Pope the long-term successor to Lukasz Fabianski.
Yet just over a month on, it now sounds like Burnley are seeking a much, much higher fee.
The Sun report that Burnley are now demanding a huge fee of £40million for Pope.
The chances of Burnley actually receiving that kind of money for Pope seem very, very slim.
Burnley have now suffered relegation and aren’t exactly going to be flush with cash.
Add in that Pope will want Premier League football to further his England prospects – especially ahead of the World Cup – and it’s unlikely that he will stay at Burnley.
West Ham absolutely won’t be paying £40million for the 30-year-old but he has enjoyed a superb season.
On Sunday, pundit Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports (22/05, 15:19) that he thinks Pope is ‘different class’ and ‘incredible’ having given Burnley hope of staying up.
It’s no surprise that West Ham are taking a look at Pope but just how much they are willing to pay remains to be seen.
West Ham may instead look to other goalkeepers with Paris Saint-Germain’s Alphonse Areola a top target after spending this season on loan in East London.
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