Leeds United suffered a major blow this week when it emerged that Karl Darlow would be joining Manchester United on a free transfer this summer.
Darlow’s contract at Leeds expired at the end of June. However, the Whites were confident that the 35-year-old would sign a new two-year contract to stay at Elland Road.
However, the Welshman has reached an agreement to join Manchester United and will soon undergo a medical ahead of completing a free transfer to Old Trafford.
Leeds are in desperate need of a goalkeeper and the club have now identified their top target to strengthen their goalkeeping options for next season.
Derby County’s Widell Zetterstrom is now a top target for Leeds United
Widell Zetterstrom impressed at the World Cup with Sweden, and is now almost certain to leave Derby County in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Leeds have been linked with an interest in the Swede amid their need for a new goalkeeper ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Sources speaking exclusively to The Leeds Press have confirmed that Zetterstrom has moved to the top of the club’s goalkeeper shortlist this summer.
Leeds will step up their efforts to sign a new shotstopper, and Leeds have prioritised a move to sign the Derby County goalkeeper in the coming weeks.
The Whites face stiff competition from several Premier League clubs as well as Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Zetterstrom’s stock has soared after a composed World Cup campaign for Sweden, with standout performances against heavyweight opponents such as France and Japan putting him firmly on the radar of clubs across Europe.
Derby are expected to demand a fee in the region of £12m and £15m before agreeing to sell the goalkeeper in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Leeds need to move quickly
As things stand, Leeds have only two goalkeepers in Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns, and the former has been linked with a loan move to Italy this summer.
Leeds are facing a growing goalkeeping problem at Elland Road, and the club can no longer afford to put off signing a new goalkeeper.
Leeds cannot wait to sign a new goalkeeper, as it would be disruptive if a new number 1 joins just before the start of the campaign without a pre-season under his belt.
And Leeds cannot afford to sanction a move for Perri unless they are planning to sign two goalkeepers in the ongoing summer transfer window.
This isn’t the time for the usual dithering, we need to go all out for a keeper and pay the going rate [ but not stupid money] or we’l be in serious shit.
We give players away and get ripped off buying how does that happen?
How many more sagas or fake news do supporters have to put up with, offloaded a few Wilson on a free and nothing else, is this becoming a backward club, lets get something decent signed and soon, or window will close again, and Farke will have to play! 🙈