Leeds United 'between the lines' hint offered up on first team player nearing contract expiry
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has issued a 'read between the lines' hint on his feeling about a senior star whose contract runs out this summer.
The goalkeeping situation at Leeds looked straightforward enough last summer when Lucas Perri was bought from Lyon. A fee of around £14m was needed to prise the 28-year-old Brazilian from the Ligue 1 side and Daniel Farke made it clear that Perri was his new number one. But as the season comes to a close, it is 35-year-old Karl Darlow occupying the sticks for Premier League games, with Perri - who became the club's de facto FA Cup keeper - now number two.
Illan Meslier, who was supplanted by Darlow in similar fashion last season, is Farke's third-choice and with his contract up this summer a parting of the ways is certain. The Frenchman has not had a look-in ever since being dropped following a series of high-profile errors in the Championship promotion race. But Darlow, whose contract also comes to an end this summer, is someone Farke would obviously like to keep at the club.
The club's manager has a policy of not discussing transfer business or contracts until such a time as the season's objectives have been achieved, but he said enough to make clear his feelings when it comes to Darlow.
"Like I said about the future, we'll just speak once everything is confirmed - about futures, about our recruitment, about goalkeepers, outfield players, staff members, whatever. But how much I trust Karl and value Karl, you could tell by the fact that he was in the crunch-time last season in that he is right now in such a period my number one goalkeeper. And also keeps out a highly-rated player like Lucas Perri who has been impressive in the cup with some decent performances.
"I think Karl was fantastic in the last weeks and last months, to be honest since the first day I worked with him, not just his performance on the pitch, but also how he is as a human being. And I've got not just the highest respect for Karl, but also I rate him so, so high. And Karl knows this 100 per cent, there's a big, big trust between each other, and you can read, perhaps even a bit in between the lines, if you want. But I will just speak about the future, once everything's confirmed."
Wales number one stopper Darlow has put himself in a strong negotiating position ahead of the summer, when he will have interest and offers from elsewhere thanks to his performances in the top flight in recent weeks. It remains to be seen whether or not Leeds will continue to see him as a number one in the event that they stay up and look to bolster the squad to consolidate their Premier League status next season, but Farke's desire is obviously to continue working with the veteran.