Championship

Leeds look to Spain for new keeper

|
Image for Leeds look to Spain for new keeper

Leeds United have set their sights on signing a goalkeeper from Spain after their pursuit of Karl Darlow reached a dead end, according to Football Insider.

The reliable site claim the Championship leaders have held several rounds of talks about signing the Newcastle United keeper, 28, this month, and the player was keen on a move to Elland Road.

Football Insider report Rafael Benitez has blocked Darlow leaving on either a loan or permanent deal, and Leeds have now turned their attention to signing a shot-stopper from Spain.

OPINION

This is a mighty intriguing update. Leeds’ pursuit of British-based keepers who can slot into and improve their first team appears to have reached a dead end, which is somewhat worrying with three weeks of the transfer window remaining. Darlow would have been an excellent addition, given that he was a key member of Newcastle’s promotion-winning side of two seasons ago and has excellent Premier League and Championship experience. Leeds clearly wanted the ex-Nottingham Forest man, given the extensive negotiations that took place with his camp, but all good recruitment operations have plan B, C and D options. The Spanish market is one that Victor Orta knows very well, given that his homeland is where he cut his teeth, and he has had some success, most notably with the Samuel Saiz signing as well as a raft of exciting youth-team players in the summer of 2017 led by Barcelona academy product Kun Temenuzhkov.

Share this article