OPINION
Leeds United could just have made a major transfer breakthrough that is a gamechanger in their automatic promotion pursuit.
According to reliable site Football Insider, the club are in talks to sign Newcastle United goalkeeper on an initial loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
Intriguingly, it is said Darlow has given the go-ahead to a move to Elland Road and all parties are working on pushing the deal through ahead of the January window.
Leeds top the Championship on a run of five consecutive victories and have done magnificently to plug the gaps in the first team caused by a rash of serious injuries to key men.
But, it would be ignoring the blatantly obvious to claim the squad has enough depth and quality in all positions.
None is more pivotal than the goalkeeper, and Leeds are alarmingly short after losing Chelsea loanee Jamal Blackman to a season-ending broken leg.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell has done as well as can be expected since being fast-tracked into the side under ex-manager Paul Heckingbottom, but he is far from the super-reliable last line of defence that a promotion-winning side need.
Darlow would be an excellent loan-to-buy signing.
He has extensive Championship experience after successful spells in the division for Newcastle and former club Nottingham Forest, and was the first choice for much of the promotion-winning campaign under Rafael Benitez two seasons ago.
The 28-year-old would represent an upgrade on the promising but erratic Bailey Peacock-Farrell and has the calibre to slot straight into the starting XI.
Darlow could be a superb signing for Leeds.