Leeds United transfer news: BBC journalist reacts after Sky Sports report on Karl Darlow pursuit from Newcastle
Adam Pope believes Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow would be a “great signing” for Leeds United this summer as the club look to finally bring players in.
Sky Sports reported on 3 July that the Whites were battling with Bournemouth to sign the 32-year-old from St. James’ Park, with Middlesbrough left out of the running as they were unable to compete on wages, and a permanent move is now considered “likely” to either Elland Road or the Vitality amid talks with both clubs.
A keeper is needed at Leeds United after Joel Robles’ contract expired and with Illan Meslier expected to leave this summer so BBC journalist Pope feels Darlow would be an ideal candidate.
Speaking on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet on Monday (10 July, 28m 55s) he summed up the names link to an Elland Road move and said: “When you see the names being linked… whether it be [Ryan] Manning, [Gustavo] Hamer, [Ryan] Fraser…
“Obviously the keeper Karl Darlow, I think that would be a great signing. Angus Gunn, who’s been at Leeds before, is that filling you full of enthusiasm and thinking, ‘Yep, that’s exactly what Leeds need’?”
It won’t be easy to overcome Premier League competition for any player during the current window but with Darlow having fallen to third choice at Newcastle he may be tempted with the opportunity to be the full-time starter for the Whites.
Although Leeds have brought in Lewis Pirie this summer the teenager isn’t yet somebody who is going to have a big say in the promotion push, and first-team signings will be needed soon.
Daniel Farke has plenty of questions to answer in his squad before the start of the Championship season, and goalkeeper is high on the agenda.
A market for Meslier hasn’t developed to any great degree yet after his miserable end to the relegation campaign, but he has long been tipped to move on.
Robles may be back if he isn’t snapped up by Everton, but with only Kristoffer Klaesson currently available between the sticks a new arrival looks like a priority.
If the Whites can outmanoeuvre former managerial candidate Andoni Iraola to pick up Darlow, who has over 150 appearances in the second tier, then it would tick one big problem off Farke’s to-do list and there are likely plenty of supporters who agree with Pope’s assessment of the pursuit.
In other Leeds United news, the main man at another key position is now
