Leeds United are all but safe now after reaching 43 points, with their Premier League status for another season looking almost certain.

The club are already stepping up plans for the summer transfer window and are assessing several targets ahead of the end of the campaign.

Unlike last summer, Leeds are not expected to overhaul the squad, but they are keen to strengthen key areas and bring in improvements ahead of the 2026/27 season.

With Lucas Perri cleared to leave Leeds in the summer, the club are looking to bring in an upgrade in their goalkeeping department and they want to raid a Premier League rival for a solution.

Daniel Farke wants Nick Pope at Leeds

According to Sportsboom, Leeds are interested in getting their hands on Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Daniel Farke is prepared to let Perri go and wants to bring in a goalkeeper with Premier League experience ahead of next season.

Pope is seen as an upgrade on the goalkeepers Leeds have, including Karl Darlow, and the club are keen to carry out a swoop to take him to Elland Road.

Pope has a year left on his contract, and he fell out of favour at Newcastle earlier in the season when Aaron Ramsdale replaced him between the sticks.

He has returned to the team in the last two Premier League games, but Eddie Howe is expected to bring in a new number one in the summer.

The Newcastle boss is said to be interested in James Trafford, and it may lead to Pope’s departure in the upcoming transfer window.

Leeds are prepared to pounce and sign a goalkeeper that Newcastle paid £10m for in 2022.

The Newcastle star joining Leeds would be a shock

If Pope joins Leeds in the summer, it would be a major departure from the 49ers’ and Daniel Farke’s transfer strategy.

Since the 49ers took charge of Leeds, the club have mainly invested in players in their 20s or mid-20s, and have rarely looked at anyone beyond 30.

There was an expectation that if Leeds signed a new goalkeeper in the upcoming window, it would be someone younger, like James Trafford.

Pope is 34, just a year younger than Karl Darlow, who is now the current number one goalkeeper at Elland Road.

If Leeds are really interested in the Newcastle star, it is clear that Farke does not want to take any chances with his goalkeeping department and wants proven Premier League experience.