Derby County will hate Leeds United transfer news involving Man Utd | OneFootball

Karl Darlow has opted to leave Leeds United this summer, opening the door for Jacob Widell Zetterstrom to make a move

Karl Darlow's decision to turn down a contract extension from Leeds United in favour of a switch to bitter rivals Manchester United hasn't gone down well with the Leeds fans, but it arguably will frustrate Derby County further.

The 35-year-old Welshman dislodged Illan Meslier from his position as the first-choice shot-stopper in the latter stages of the Whites' 2024/25 Championship title-winning campaign, and did so again last season in the Premier League, overtaking new signing Lucas Perri in the pecking order.

In the final 17 league games that Daniel Farke's side played with Darlow in goal, they lost just four times, kept five clean sheets and secured top-flight safety with games to spare, too, finishing 14th.

While Leeds will be aiming to push forward next year, and a 35-year-old in goal doesn't exactly scream progression, quite a few fans would have been content with keeping the Welshman in between the sticks, especially if it meant freeing up more funds to invest elsewhere.

Therefore, seeing him leave, and becoming the first player since Alan Smith back in 2004 to make the direct switch from Elland Road to Old Trafford, has not only left a sour taste in mouths, but also opened up the need for a new first-choice shot-stopper, and Derby's Jacob Widell Zetterstrom could end up being that man.

Leeds United may ramp up Jacob Widell Zetterstrom chace after Karl Darlow decision

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Leeds have gone from having four senior goalkeepers on their books at the end of the season to now just having two, and that could even decrease to one, with Perri the subject of some loan discussions following a difficult first year in the Premier League.

That remaining keeper would be Alex Cairns, a veteran shot-stopper who has played just one game at a level higher than League One in his career. It's safe to say that Daniel Farke won't be going into the new campaign with him as the number one.

Therefore, one of the main focuses this summer will definitely be on upgrading the goalkeeper position. Leeds have been heavily linked with several shot-stoppers, namely Derby's Zetterstrom, who reports believe wants a move to Elland Road.

The 27-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Pride Park, and is coming off the back of an impressive World Cup campaign with Sweden, where he shone in both their final group game against Japan and their eventual exit against France, still making nine saves, despite the 3-0 defeat.

Zetterstrom has truly made a name for himself as one of the better goalkeepers in the Championship in the last couple of seasons, and is clearly ready for that step up into the Premier League, which Leeds could offer.

Promising Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki looks to be the optimal choice at Elland Road to replace Darlow, but with recent reports stating that the 23-year-old seems to be rejecting the opportunity to move to West Yorkshire, Leeds may have to pivot.

Zetterstrom would be a more than apt reserve choice and wouldn't cost as much as Suzuki would.

Derby County wouldn't have wanted Jacob Widell Zetterstrom transfer headache this summer

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There's always pride in watching your players excel on the World Cup stage, but there'll be some Derby fans wishing that Zetterstrom hadn't put his name on the map so much, showing the world what they already know.

Especially with the Swedish shot-stopper heading into his final year, it seems inevitable that the Rams will be made to cash in this summer, not only to maximise profit with his stock as high as it's ever been, but to avoid losing him for nothing next summer.

Derby have a lot of holes to plug this summer in their squad if they are to maintain their eighth-place finish this season, or even better it, with several of their stars from last year returning to their parent clubs from loan spells.

They managed to bring back Bobby Clark permanently, but further investment will need to be made in wide attacking areas, behind the striker, and possibly even in central midfield still, to add to the 21-year-old's return.

To have to focus some of their recruitment on replacing their first-choice goalkeeper, too, despite what should hopefully be a good fee coming in for him, just adds to what is already an extensive to-do list at Pride Park this summer.