Leeds United are keeping close tabs on the situation of Birmingham City goalkeeper David Stockdale this summer as he is banished from the first team with the Blues, according to reliable reporter Phil Hay.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist, a reputable fountain of knowledge surrounding the goings on at Elland Road, claims in a series of responses on his personal Twitter account that the Championship veteran has been sent to train with the youngsters and would be available for proverbial pennies this summer, with Leeds interested in his capture.
Leeds still looking closely at Stockdale, and Gunn
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 26, 2018
due back in a week later because he's been told to train with the youngsters. Birmingham want him to go.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 26, 2018
expecting Stockdale to essentially be a free transfer. Birmingham have told him to leave.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 26, 2018
Stockdale, 32, has 232 second tier appearances under his belt for a variety of sides, 72 of those resulting in clean sheets, while he also has 39 Premier League outings to his name.
Good move for Leeds?
An experienced Championship shot stopper was exactly what the Whites were missing last season, despite having Andy Lonergan on their books, and someone of Stockdale’s calibre would be a huge improvement on the options already between the sticks.
Felix Weidwald has gone after his disappointing campaign at Elland Road and while Bailey Peacock-Farrell impressed after usurping more established names, having Stockdale on their books would give the defence a boost.
The fact he is available for near to nothing is only a bonus, and it would be a brilliant bit of business for Marcelo Bielsa.
This is Futbol rating: 8.5/10
Likely to happen?
If Stockdale is up for a free, then there will be many sides in the hunt for his capture.
Leeds can offer regular first team football in an ambitious side hunting a top six finish in the Championship, and that should be enough to convince Stockdale of a move.
Bielsa will want to run the rule over his current options, but this certainly seems in the pipeline.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10