News emerged on Thursday that Karl Darlow will leave Leeds United this summer. The veteran keeper was one of three first team stars that were offered new deals after their contracts expired.
Alex Cairns has verbally agreed to stay next season, with an official announcement pending.
And Sam Byram seems to be set on following Darlow out of Elland Road, with reports this week linking him with Norwich. Graham Smyth hinted at the defender leaving for more playing time recently.
As things stand, Lucas Perri is the only first team keeper under contract this summer.
And the club is expected to resolve that in the coming months, with many targets having been identified.
Leeds United stance on £26m deal clarified
Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has been strongly linked with a move to Leeds United in recent weeks.
Reports from Italy suggest that the Japanese international was not keen on a move to Elland Road. However, the Whites remain in the race for him as well as other European clubs.
Graham Smyth has now clarified that the news around Suzuki earlier was ‘premature’.
According to him, there was no active pursuit of the 23-year old at that time, with Smyth saying that it could have just been an inquiry from Leeds.
“It was massively premature to suggest that Leeds agreed with Suzuki, and all it required now is for the two clubs to agree.” Smyth said on the Inside Elland Road podcast.
“That was never the case.
“It may well have been that case that Leeds asked the question, ‘What sort of numbers are we looking at?’ and may have intimated that we could get to those numbers.
“But I don’t see why you’d do that unless you are ready to press ahead with it, knowing that there will be other clubs in for him as well.
“All that noise was premature because there was no active pursuit at that time.”
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49ers cannot wait around
The longer Leeds wait around, the longer the issue becomes a problem.
Pre-season for most clubs begins in the next couple of weeks, and the club have only one first team goalkeeper. They must accelerate any plans to get in a new shot stopper soon.
Now that the future of Karl Darlow is known, plans must be made quickly.
Whether it is Suzuki or another goalkeeper, the club must work fast to bring one in soon.
