The search for a new goalkeeper continues at Leeds United with the club missing out on Caoimhin Kelleher, and one option has admitted he is excited at the prospect of a move to Elland Road.
Leeds need a new goalkeeper with Illan Meslier expected to leave, after the Frenchman was dropped by Daniel Farke last season. He is now in the final year of his deal and Phil Hay expects Meslier to depart.
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Leeds have been offering Meslier to other clubs in an attempt to find him a new team. A return to Ligue 1 looks likely, with Meslier likely to harbour hopes, however thin, of making France’s World Cup squad.
Plenty have been linked. Nick Pope is a target, while Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for Djordje Petrovic. Another is Mjallby’s Noel Tornqvist and he has been discussing a move to Leeds this summer.
Noel Tornqvist says he is open to joining Leeds United
Tornqvist is enjoying a brilliant season with Mjallby, who are defying expectations and currently sit top of the Swedish Allsvenskan. Nine wins, three draws and a loss in 13 games, Tornqvist has conceded 11 goals.
Four clean sheets have come his way. No surprise then, clubs are keeping an eye on the uncapped Swede, who has been called up by his national team. Leeds have been linked with Tornqvist in recent windows.
Now, Leeds are supposedly eyeing a £1.5m move to land Tornqvist again and speaking to FotbollDirekt, Tornqvist admitted he would be lying if he was not excited at the prospect of a move to Elland Road.
“Of course it’s fun. It means you’re doing something well. It’s proof that you’re doing it well and I take it in stride. At the same time, there’s more focus here but it’s fun to hear about it,” he told Swedish media.
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“Of course it [England preferred destination] is. I would be lying if I said otherwise. England and Italy are probably the main destinations that I have had since I was little. We’ll see what happens,” he continued.
Leeds only need Tornqvist if Karl Darlow decides to leave
No-one could really blame Darlow if he wanted to depart. Now Wales no.1 ahead of a World Cup, the experienced stopper got a taste of first-team football after Farke axed Meslier for the last seven games.
Darlow will want to keep match fit ahead of the 2026 World Cup if Wales do go on and qualify. Warming the bench at Leeds won’t allow him to do that. The former Newcastle man is in the final year of his deal.
Tornqvist looks like a real prospect. Clearly, he is performing well over in Sweden but it is a big step up over in England. If Leeds do sign him, it will be as cover to a new no.1, not as the club’s first-choice.
