Leeds United appear to be moving closer to signing a new goalkeeper this summer after several important developments in recent weeks.
The club are still in talks with Karl Darlow over a new deal and would like the experienced Welshman to remain at Elland Road for another season.
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However, uncertainty continues to surround his future due to interest from Manchester United, who are believed to be weighing up a move for him as an experienced backup to Senne Lammens.
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With Darlow’s situation still unresolved, Leeds may be forced to accelerate their plans and intensify their search for a new goalkeeper in the transfer market.
And the club have been tipped to finalise a deal to bring in an experienced Premier League goalkeeper this summer.
Nick Pope tipped to ‘end up at Leeds’
Newcastle are keen to listen to offers for Nick Pope, who has a year left on his contract and is likely to fall in the pecking order of goalkeepers this summer at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies have already signed Ewen Jaouen from Reims, and have rekindled their interest in England goalkeeper James Trafford this summer.
Leeds are interested in Pope, and speaking to Football Insider, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has stressed that the Newcastle star will end up at Elland Road this summer.
He stressed that Leeds will have to sell Lucas Perri and believes it would be a great deal for them if they replace the Brazilian with Pope ahead of next season.
“Leeds are favourites (for Pope), but I think they’re going to have to sell Perri, who hasn’t been a great success as well,” he said.
“He might go something around £10m or £12m. If they can get that, it would be a good deal for them, and I think Pope would be the one to come in.
“There is interest for Ipswich, and that’s close, but I do expect him to end up at Leeds. I think that would be a good one for Leeds to get him in there. To me, that would be a strengthening in the position.”
Leeds need to make a goalkeeper decision soon
Leeds United had initially considered sticking with Karl Darlow and Lucas Perri as their goalkeeping options for next season, allowing the club to focus its transfer budget on strengthening other areas of the squad.
That plan now appears far less certain. Perri has yet to fully establish himself since arriving at Elland Road, and if Darlow decides to move on this summer, Leeds would almost certainly be forced into the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper.
The club have been eager to secure Darlow’s future with a new contract and would have preferred any new goalkeeper signing to arrive as competition for, or a replacement to, Perri rather than the Welshman. While Leeds remain willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian, losing Darlow would significantly alter their transfer strategy.
With Manchester United reportedly showing interest in the experienced goalkeeper, Leeds may now need to speed up their plans. If Darlow continues to keep his options open, the Whites could be pushed into making an early move for a target such as Nick Pope rather than waiting until later in the window.
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