Leeds United have intensified their hunt to sign Birmingham City goalkeeper David Stockdale, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The newspaper claims that Stockdale, 32, has been named at the top of the Whites’ goalkeeper shopping list for the summer transfer window after Birmingham manager Garry Monk decided he wanted to offload the former Brighton man.
It is understood that Leeds have stepped up their pursuit of Monk’s discard as they will have to wait to find out if they can sign Manchester City goalkeeper Angus Gunn on loan, with him said to be attracting a lot of attention after a solid season on a temporary deal at Norwich.
Good move for Leeds?
Stockdale is a solid Championship goalkeeper, but hopefully Leeds are not looking to sign him to become the new number one ahead of Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Peacock-Farrell was brilliant for Leeds this season after he was called upon by Paul Heckingbottom to play in the senior squad amid serious concerns about Felix Wiedwald and Andy Lonergan’s form.
It now seems as though one, if not both, of those will be offloaded this summer with United eyeing up a replacement.
Stockdale would be a solid addition but surely he would want to be number one after 39 appearances across all competitions for Birmingham this season.
This is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
Stockdale will surely want assurances that he will be number one choice next season, and a move for him may also depend on who is going to be the next manager at Elland Road.
Heckingbottom may have been happy for director of football Victor Orta to go after Stockdale, but will Marcelo Bielsa if he is hired?
The unwanted Birmingham shot-stopper may be top of the shortlist for now, but that could change.
This is Futbol rating 5/10