OPINION
Leeds United must make a swoop to sign Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot in the January transfer window after Rafa Benitez confirmed that he has been made available for a move away from St James’ Park.
The Yorkshire giants may be top of the Championship, but they are in desperate need of a new goalkeeper after Jamal Blackman’s loan stay at Elland Road was ended prematurely when he suffered a broken leg.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell is the only senior goalkeeper currently available for Leeds with youngster Will Huffer filling in since Blackman returned to Chelsea, and Marcelo Bielsa looks to have already made moves for a new shot-stopper ahead of January with Newcastle Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder reporting earlier this month that a loan bid for Freddie Woodman has been made.
Newcastle’s Karl Darlow has also been eyed up by the Whites, according to the Chronicle, but it seems as though the Yorkshire club are barking up the wrong tree in that pursuit as well.
Leeds obviously want a new goalkeeper and with Woodman and Darlow seemingly out of their reach, they should try their luck with Elliot now that Benitez has confirmed he is available.
As quoted by the Chronicle in a press conference on Friday, the Magpies boss said: “The only one (goalkeeper) that is available in the window is Rob Elliot.”
That is good news for Leeds because it means that there is someone out there who is available for them, and the last time Elliot was in the Championship he helped Newcastle win the title.
The Republic of Ireland international only made three appearances in the last three games of the 2016/17 season, but he came in to replace Darlow and kept two clean sheets to seal the silverware ahead of Brighton.
The 6ft 3 (transfermarkt) colossus should be a good back-up option for Peacock-Farrell and there is a good chance that if he is signed on loan, Newcastle will allow Leeds to pay just a portion of his £25,000-a-week (Spotrac) wages to cut their losses.
If Bielsa is going to make just one signing next month then it is bound to be for a new goalkeeper.
After Benitez’s recent revelation, Elliot should be the man to arrive at Elland Road.