Ipswich surge into race to sign top Leeds United target Nick Pope

Ipswich Town have now stormed into the race to sign an “unbelievable” Premier League player, but they could face competition from Leeds United, who have identified him as their top target.

Ipswich hoping “different” transfer approach will help them avoid relegation

Last time Ipswich gained promotion to the Premier League, they were unable to put up much of a fight in the relegation battle, picking up just 22 points all season, which ensured they finished in 19th place, 16 points from safety.

However, chairman Mark Ashton has revealed the Tractor Boys are planning to do things differently in the upcoming transfer window, which is due to open next week.

Ashton said: “I think we’ll have to take a different approach to it this year, particularly around player and talent recruitment. But we’ll be front-footed, investors have already said they want to back to the hilt and we’ll go again.”

“We’ve got a brand-new recruitment department, we use data, but we’re not Moneyball, we don’t recruit players just off data, we add it to balance between the objective and the subjective.”

Kieran Mckenna‘s side are evidently keen to strengthen in attack, having already submitted a bid for Millwall forward Femi Azeez, but they are also planning to improve their options at the opposite end of the pitch.

Ipswich enter race to sign “unbelievable” Premier League star

According to a report from The Sun, Ipswich have now stormed into the race to sign Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope, who has just one year remaining on his £60k-a-week contract at St. James’ Park.

Pope is yet to decide whether to leave Newcastle, following the arrival of French U21 goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, or fight for his place in Eddie Howe’s side, but if he does want to move on, two Premier League clubs could be waiting in the wings to secure his signature.

Indeed, not only are the Tractor Boys keen on the Englishman, who has picked up 10 caps for the Three Lions, but Leeds are also keen, and Daniel Farke’s side have identified him as their top summer target.

The Newcastle shot-stopper made 27 Premier League appearances last season, keeping seven clean sheets, and he received major plaudits from Arsenal star Bukayo Saka in September, with the winger saying: “In the past, we’ve come here and had decisions to go against us and whatnot, and almost today, with the penalty and some of the decisions, and Nick Pope having an unbelievable game.”

Although the ex-Burnley man wasn’t able to hold down a consistent place in the starting XI throughout the campaign, he ranked very highly in terms of saves per 90.

Pope is also very experienced in the top flight, making 248 Premier League appearances, which could serve Ipswich very well in their bid to avoid relegation.

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