Leeds United transfers as second Premier League team join Man Utd in race for out-of-contract star
An out-of-contract Leeds United first-team regular is attracting transfer interest.
Leeds United are facing an increasingly difficult battle to re-sign Karl Darlow amid reports of interest elsewhere in the Premier League.
Darlow is no longer contracted to Leeds with his deal officially expiring on Tuesday. The club confirmed last month they remained in talks with the Welsh international over a possible extension but as yet, nothing has been signed.
Leeds now look set to face increased competition with Sky Sports reporting on interest from Everton. The Toffees are looking to add more depth to their goalkeeper group, which currently boasts England starter Jordan Pickford and the experienced Mark Travers.
Sky Sports add that while Leeds have put a new deal on the table, Darlow is ‘considering his options’. And Everton aren’t the only interested party, with Manchester United also keen on a potential move.
Like Everton, they are looking for an experienced back-up to their clear first-choice in Senne Lammens. The Belgian joined in an £18million deal last year but teammates Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana could both leave.
Onana is expected to return to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor on loan while Bayindir's future is uncertain. Should the latter depart, interest from Old Trafford in Darlow is expected to strengthen.
Interest building in Leeds United’s Karl Darlow
Darlow will represent a low-cost, low-risk opportunity for any Premier League club looking for goalkeeper cover. The 35-year-old is homegrown, a fully-fledged international and proven at the top level, having played 22 of Leeds’ 38 top-flight games last season.
The Welshman, having covered for Illan Meslier to see out Championship promotion in 2024/25, fell behind new arrival Lucas Perri in the summer. But he reclaimed the No.1 spot earlier this year following two errors from his main competitor against Manchester United and Newcastle.
Goalkeeper is one of the more uncertain positions at Leeds heading into the summer, with Perri the only senior option currently under contract. A new deal is thought to have been verbally agreed with Alex Cairns but nothing confirmed.
Like Darlow, Meslier is now officially a free agent following the expiration of his contract. The Frenchman is also attracting interest from the Premier League, namely Arsenal, who might also be in need of cover for first-choice David Raya.
Uncertainty around the position has fuelled reports of interest in Parma’s Japan international shot-stopper Zion Suzuki. The YEP understands he is liked but as of yet, there is no active pursuit.