Leeds United are sweating over the fitness of Karl Darlow as Manchester United push to sign the Welsh goalkeeper on a free transfer this summer.
Darlow replaced Lucas Perri as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper midway through last season and was nominated for the Premier League’s Save of the Season accolade.
His contract expires at the end of this month, and Leeds have offered him a new deal. However, there is no agreement between the two sides, and Manchester United’s interest is the complicating factor.
Leeds are pushing to convince the Wales number 1 to stay. However, there is now an increasing likelihood that he could move to Old Trafford in the ongoing transfer window.
Manchester United hold talks with Karl Darlow
Michael Carrick is expecting to sell both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir this summer, and Manchester United want a new number 2 goalkeeper next season.
According to The Athletic, Darlow has emerged as a genuine option for the Premier League giants ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
He is one of the top two goalkeeping targets for the Red Devils this summer, and his free agent status makes him an attractive proposition for them.
It has been claimed that Manchester United are in talks with the Welshman’s representatives to establish the cost of signing the goalkeeper this summer.
They won’t have to pay a transfer fee, but Manchester United are trying to understand what kind of contract Darlow would accept, the amount of signing-on fee and the agent fees.
Manchester United are serious about signing the Leeds goalkeeper and are setting up the groundwork for a deal to sign Darlow in the ongoing transfer window.
Leeds can only hope that the prospect of regular football will convince him to reject an offer from Old Trafford and stay at Elland Road.
Why do Manchester United want him?
Darlow’s contract situation makes him an attractive option for Manchester United, particularly as the club look to keep costs down. With his deal expiring this summer, he could be available without a transfer fee.
The Welsh goalkeeper also ticks another important box. Having come through the academies at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, he qualifies as a homegrown player under Premier League rules.
Clubs are required to include at least eight homegrown players in their 25-man squads, so replacing Altay Bayindir with Darlow would help the Red Devils meet that requirement while freeing up greater flexibility elsewhere in the squad.
Manchester United also want an experienced back-up for Senne Lammens who can step in whenever required and Darlow has proved his quality in the Premier League at Leeds.
Oh dear Leeds, you have made a right mess of this. It’s Darlow’s last payday, I suspect. I’d be genuinely surprised if he turned it down.
If he wants regular playing time, he will not get it going to Man Utd. So it will be a move for the money.