Leeds United told the one condition they should sign Rotherham United ace Viktor Johansson
Leeds United should only consider purchasing Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson as a backup option for Illan Meslier, Paul Robinson has said.
According to Sportbladet [3 May] Rotherham’s final match of the Championship season was set to be Johansson’s last at the New York Stadium, naming Leeds and Sheffield United as clubs interested.
It emerged after the Millers’ relegation from the second tier that the 25-year-old shot-stopper has a £730,000 release clause in his current contract, though Robinson is not convinced about him as a replacement for Illan Meslier at Elland Road.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “I can’t see it happening, not Viktor Johansson anyway. He’s still only 25 years old, has been at Rotherham since 2020, played over 100 games, and was in the Aston Villa academy.
“But for me, if you put the pair together, he’s not as good as Meslier. Karl Darlow has come in as a backup – I think he’s the type of squad goalkeeper that they need. If Meslier wasn’t to play, you’d be happy with Darlow.
“If they are looking to replace Meslier, I’d look for better. I wouldn’t be looking at a team relegated from the Championship, who have conceded a lot of goals this season. Obviously, not Johansson’s fault.
“I don’t see Johansson coming in and taking Meslier’s number one jersey. If Darlow moves on, I could see an approach for him as a new number-two goalkeeper, I get that. But I certainly wouldn’t pick him in front of Meslier.”
Could Leeds United sign Viktor Johansson from Rotherham United?
As Robinson points out, Johansson is an international goalkeeper, albeit only making one appearance for Sweden since March 2023. However, his release clause is difficult to ignore.
As a goalkeeper with over 100 appearances in the Championship, for such a low price and at a young age, it seems foolish for Leeds to turn down the opportunity to sign him this summer.
It is no wonder that multiple clubs are keeping an eye on the situation, with the ‘keeper having made 180 total saves this season as Rotherham finished bottom of the league table. [FotMob]
Making 4.1 saves per 90 minutes, as per FotMob, Johansson is the goalkeeper with the most saves per match in the Championship this season, though he has also conceded the most goals per match.
In other Leeds news, one Leicester star has taken a swipe at the Whites and Georginio Rutter after they sealed the Championship title.
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