Leeds United face priority goalkeeper call after Meslier exit and Darlow uncertainty | OneFootball

Leeds United head into the summer with the goalkeeper position back at the top of the agenda after departures reopened a long-running dilemma.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, uncertainty has lingered since Karl Darlow replaced Illan Meslier during the 2024/25 Championship run-in. Leeds then paid £16m for Lucas Perri on a four-year deal, but his first Premier League season proved difficult. He was dropped in January after two saveable efforts went in against Manchester United and Newcastle United, and featured only in the FA Cup thereafter.

Last summer’s recruitment was otherwise close to flawless, with Leeds finishing 14th rather than merely surviving. The missed right-wing or No 10 profile has now been addressed by Harry Wilson’s free transfer.

Illan Meslier has joined Arsenal and Darlow now looks set to sign for Manchester United on a free. It is understood a deal has been agreed to extend Alex Cairns’ stay, yet for now Perri is the only senior goalkeeper available to Daniel Farke. Attention now turns to identifying a new first choice.

It is understood Leeds admire Japan international Zion Suzuki and James Trafford, though both are thought to cost £30m or more at a time when the new Squad Cost Ratio has tightened short-term spending. Whether they opt to future-proof the position now or defer again remains to be seen, but another summer of change between the posts awaits at Elland Road.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk