Burnley were forced into an early season change back in September when their number one goalkeeper Tom Heaton fell victim to injury, opening a door for understudy Nick Pope and the Clarets haven’t looked back since. Pope has been a revelation for Sean Dyche’s impressive Burnley this season and is even being tipped for an England call-up. However, with Tom Heaton back to fitness could this force a potential summer move? What Are The Odds looks at the Nick Pope next club odds market via Sky Bet bookmaker.
So far, since returning from injury one of the candidates to be England’s number one Tom Heaton has had to settle for a place on the bench due to the impressive form of Nick Pope. However, with just eight games until the end of the season the Burnley boss could give Heaton the gloves at some stage to ensure his fitness and place on the plane to the World Cup. This may open the door for interested clubs to come forward and make Pope their undisputed number one next season.
Front of the queue in this market are Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United who were reportedly interested last month and are assumedly keeping an eye on the situation at Turf Moor heading into the summer transfer window. Currently the Magpies are 9/2 (5.50) to sign Nick Pope, and the age of 25 he would be considered a player who can yet still improve at Premier League level and make the gloves his own at St James’s Park.
West Ham United are backed quite a bit further back at 16/1 (17.0) and would be a logical choice, considering their goalkeeper issues in Adrian and Joe Hart not exactly impressing when called upon throughout this season. David Moyes, should he and the club get through this season and their Premier League states kept intact may look to bring in a new stopper - especially with Joe Hart only being on-loan from Manchester City.
Pope would certainly fit the bill at the Hammers - but a lot will depend on who Burnley consider their number one starter, and at this moment it would appear Tom Heaton is benched for the foreseeable future.
Southampton who have recently appointed Mark Hughes to save them from relegation are also priced at 16/1 (17.0), and they too have issues over their number one goalkeeper. Fraser Forster was an automatic pick at the start of the season but has since found himself on the bench for the last 10 Premier League games. If Hughes doesn’t bring him back into the fold then it’s pretty certain the Saints will be looking for a new man between the sticks in the summer - with Forster likely to depart.
Probability of Nick Pope's next club
| Next Club | Nick Pope Transfer Odds | Probability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle | 9/2 | 18.18% | |
| West Ham | 16/1 | 5.88% | |
| Southampton | 16/1 | 5.88% | |
| Stay at Burnley | 1/5 | 83.33% | |
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