This past week saw Leeds United fans learn the news on potential Elland Road returns. This summer has been full of transfer stories and transfer links.
Mail Sport confirmed that the Whites had no plans of bringing Kalvin Phillips back.
That put an end to years of speculation, where the Manchester City midfielder was linked with a move back to West Yorkshire every offseason. Phillips is set to join Sheffield United.
In a huge blow to Leeds fans, reports claimed that Karl Darlow had turned down a return to the club.
The veteran keeper is a free agent this summer after his contract expired at the end of June. It is now very unlikely that he will be in goal for the club ahead of next season.
Daniel Farke’s role in major Leeds United exit
Much has been said about Karl Darlow since the news emerged.
Leeds United had him in goal for the second half of the season, and he held his position until the end. Lucas Perri lost out after a series of underwhelming performances, which Farke pointed out.
There have been claims that Darlow left for the money, as he will be on significant wages at Old Trafford.
Per our sources at The Leeds Press, it has been exclusively revealed that it was far from the case. Salary demands were never an issue; the club was willing to give Karl Darlow a nice pay-day.
But the keeper was unhappy when Farke mentioned that he would not be first choice for the upcoming season.
This was what broke down the talks, as the Welsh keeper wanted to be the club’s starter going forward. Darlow then chose to be on the bench at Manchester United where he would get a chance at European football, over being on the bench at Elland Road.
READ MORE: Major update on ex-Leeds hero’s potential Elland Road return
The club might have made a mistake
A ball has yet to be kicked this season, so nothing can be justified.
But Leeds might have made a mistake with this whole situation. Karl Darlow could have definitely continued as first choice beyond this summer at Leeds under Farke.
This would have bought the club more time in their hunt for a new keeper.
As things stand, the Whites now need to splash the cash on a new starter, and seeing the market it could be a huge fee.
There would have been nothing wrong with giving Darlow a year and preparing his replacement next summer. It would have made more financial sense in the process too.
Darlow would have been MORE than good enough as our No1 between the the sticks for next season. Instead, were doing exactly the same as last season, hoping that we don’t bring another flop into the first 11. How many times was Darlow messed about at Leeds ? I don’t blame him one little bit for going, although he could have made a better choice of club to go through for the fans sake !!!!!
I’m not surprised Darlow walked, you cannot blame him. When he first came to the club he was a bench warmer until Meslier was taken out of the team and Darlow was used. In came Peri and back to the bench for Darlow until Perri was taken out of the team. He played an important part in keeping us in the prem but was not appreciated properly by the manager no matter what he said about Darlow.
We can only hope and pray now that we get a goalie who is ready to go and can keep up a good enough quality all season.
I wonder which position will be sacrificed because of this?
Let’s be right
Farke wouldn’t know a good goalkeeper if he lived in the same house
I cannot blame Darlows decision apart from the club he is about to join… He has proven to be reliable over last two seasons to dig Leeds, Farke and the board out of the mire. Both seasons have been successful in relevant terms. True Darlow’s age has limitations, but I’m sure if he was given the chance of guaranteed 1st choice for this season with a second season contract with a caveat of his second season been upon his form that he would of stayed, salary dependant. That would have allowed Leeds to focus on outfield players and would therefore have meant that a chunk of the 100 Million money we have to spend wouldn’t be blown on purchasing keepers! We have lost a big trick in spreading our expenditure once again… surely another season will not be spent holding our breaths as supporters hoping that our bargain freebies do… Read more »