Exclusive: Newcastle United close to signing goalkeeper Nick Pope from Burnley

Newcastle United are close to agreeing a deal to sign England international goalkeeper Nick Pope from Burnley but are being frustrated in every other area of their recruitment due to inflated asking prices, wage demands and agent fees.

Sources have told Telegraph Sport that the purchase of Pope is far more advanced now than long-standing attempts to sign Reims striker Hugo Ekitike and Lille centre back Sven Botman.

Pope’s arrival would be to challenge Martin Dubravka for the number one jersey next season and the 30-year-old is desperate to make the move to Tyneside.

The deal will cost Newcastle between £8m-10m and it is understood that while the transfer has not been completed at this stage Burnley want to sell following their relegation to the Championship and talks are at an advanced stage.

The arrival of Pope, who has ambitions of forcing his way into England’s World Cup squad, will see former England youth international goalkeeper Freddie Woodman leave Newcastle for Preston North End. It is also increasingly likely that back up goalkeeper, Karl Darlow, will look for a new club in order to play more first team football.

Newcastle’s players are due back for the start of pre-season training on July 1st but the progress that has been made on the Pope deal is in stark contrast to yet more delays and frustration in the attempts to bring in Ekitke and Botman.

The Newcastle hierarchy are understood to be getting increasingly exasperated in both negotiations and have already started to look at alternative targets.

Lille are refusing to lower their asking price for Botman from £37m, even though West Ham signed another centre back from the French league, in the form of Morocco international, Nayed Aguerd, for just £30m this