Karl Darlow would be installed as Leeds United number one if he was signed from Newcastle United in the January window, according to Phil Hay.
The Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent reported in a Twitter exchange with a United supporter that Leeds are “very keen” on landing the Premier League keeper next month.
Hay explained there is a “good chance” Darlow would be the first-choice keeper ahead of current number one Bailey Peacock-Farrell if he was recruited i the forthcoming window.
they’re very keen on Darlow. Good chance he’d play if he signed.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) December 18, 2018
OPINION
Judging from the reports of recent days, Darlow is the man Leeds want to plug their gaping goalkeeper hole. Marcelo Bielsa has got by with just one senior keeper in Peacock-Farrell, himself only promoted from the academy ranks back in March, since Jamal Blackman suffered a season-ending broken leg five weeks ago. Leeds are flying high at the Championship summit, but it is a major risk not to have quality cover and real competition in such a pivotal position. Peacock-Farrell has done as well as anyone could have expected since being fast-tracked into the senior side but he is a little erratic and far from the finished product. It certainly makes sense for Darlow to leapfrog him in the United pecking order, despite Bielsa’s seemingly limitless faith in the youngsters at Elland Road. The Newcastle man has excellent Championship experience and was a key member of the club’s promotion-winning campaign of two seasons ago.