Thomas Christiansen has admitted that Andy Lonergan could quit Leeds United by Wednesday night.
The goalkeeper’s future has been the subject of strong speculation in recent days amid reports that Sunderland are in talks with United about signing him on a permanent deal before the transfer cut-off.
The Sunderland fan website Roker Report claim that Lonergan, 34, has agreed an 18-month contract with the Championship relegation strugglers after Football Insider reported that the two clubs were in talks over a potential swap deal involving Lonergan.
Manager Christiansen explained at his media briefing on Monday, as quoted by BBC Radio Leeds correspondent Adam Pope, that the keeper’s future hangs in the balance.
Lonergan will be in the squad to face Hull in the league encounter at the KC Stadium tomorrow night but the manager admitted he can offer no guarantees beyond that.
TC on Andy Lonergan: “He will be in the squad tomorrow… then we will have to see.” #lufc
— Adam Pope (@APOPEY) January 29, 2018
It has been reported that Leeds will green light the exit of the veteran, who they signed on a free transfer from Wolves last summer, if they can sign a replacement in the next three days.
United have been strongly linked with Liverpool reserve Adam Bogdan.
Lonergan has made just nine appearances for Leeds and not featured for the club since the 4-1 defeat to Wolves in November.
Good move for Leeds?
As long as Leeds can sign a reliable keeper as a replacement, offloading Lonergan is not a major loss. The keeper is certainly behind Felix Wiedwald in the United pecking order after failing to take his opportunity during a seven-game run in the side when the German was dropped following a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in October. Lonergan did not look especially comfortable and Leeds fans will not mourn his departure. It paves the way for an exciting Leeds signing opportunity in what is now set to be a late window goalkeeper merry-go-round.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Christiansen’s admission is a sure sign that the keeper is more likely to leave than not. The manager is not one for delivering too many media revelations but the door is clearly open for Lonergan to leave, if a replacement can be secured in time.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10