This is the second season in a row that Leeds United have had to change their starting goalkeeper in the middle of a campaign. In the Championship last year, there were complications during the promotion run in.
Leeds were competing with Burnley and Sheffield United, and the battle was tightly contested in the second half of the season. So when Illan Meslier started making blunders to cost the team points in that run, Daniel Farke took the decision to bench the Frenchman. And it ended up working as the Whites won the league.
This season has been a similar scenario; Leeds United signed Lucas Perri in the summer for a big fee. The Brazilian was expected to be the undisputed number one for the campaign. But after a few errors at the end of last year, Farke publicly criticized him and later benched him.
Leeds United line up major summer transfer targets
Both times, Karl Darlow has stepped in to be the number one. Initially signed to be the deputy to Meslier, he now finds himself ahead of the French stopper in the pecking order. Leeds United are now set on upgrading their goalkeeping department this summer. TEAMtalk are reporting that 6ft 5in Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn is on the clubs radar. It also appears Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth is on their shortlist too.
The reports claims that Brynn will be available if Middlesbrough fail to win promotion to the Premier League – they are currently second in the Championship. It is also included that Brighton value Rushworth around £20 million if any clubs make an approach.
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Goalkeeping situation remains complicated ahead of transfer window
| Player | Contract Length |
|---|---|
| Lucas Perri | 2029 |
| Karl Darlow | 2026 |
| Illan Meslier | 2026 |
| Alex Cairns | 2026 |
The goalkeeping department could be cleared out when the summer arrives. Karl Darlow, Illan Meslier and Alex Cairns are all out of contract in the next three months. There has been no news on a possible extension for Darlow even after his impressive displays this season. Meslier will certainly leave the Whites after many clubs around Europe sought his signature last summer. Cairns is also another mystery; there is no indication that the club will let him go or renew his deal – he is currently the reserve keeper. The 49ers lining up two young keepers is a step in the right direction, now they must make the right choice. It has been two years dealing with the number one situation, and the club must conclude on their decision.
