The Whites are looking to bolster their goalkeeping options this summer and have been linked with Newcastle United shot stopper Karl Darlow
Pre-season at Leeds United is finally underway with Daniel Farke taking his first few training sessions as head coach. The German head coach has seen Robin Koch head for the exit door on a loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt and more are expected to follow.
The Whites are still awaiting the green light from the EFL for the 49ers takeover to be approved, which would speed up transfer dealings with the new Championship campaign just a few weeks away. Farke has a big decision to make in the goalkeeping department, with Illan Meslier expected to leave Elland Road this summer, despite keeping his cards close to his chest.
Joel Robles was invited back for pre-season training, but it remains to be seen whether he’s taken up that invitation. Leeds have been linked with a number of strong Championship goalkeepers, with Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow among those under consideration.
The Magpies’ shot stopper has plenty of Premier League experience to his name but the arrival of Nick Pope saw his game time reduced last season, meaning he’d spend the latter half of last season on loan with Championship side Hull City. Tigers’ boss Liam Rosenior had been keen on keeping Darlow at the club, given how impressive he was during that stint.
However, with Leeds now in the mix to sign the 32-year-old, the Tigers are said to be out of the race. Darlow would bring some much needed competition between the sticks and add some quality to the Whites’ squad.
It was only back in 2021, Darlow’s form was so impressive for Newcastle that he was under consideration for Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup qualifying squads against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Sam Johnstone, Dean Henderson and Nick Pope got the nod with Everton’s Jordan Pickford injured. At the time, Southgate said: “Karl Darlow has had a very good season for Newcastle.
“He’s probably found himself out of the team at just the wrong time in many regards really. But Sam Johnstone, in a team that has had a difficult season, has kept a very good level of performance. He’s comfortable in possession as well as keeping the ball out of his net.”
