Credit: Imago

Mark Smith

Tue 28 April 2026 7:10, UK

Leeds United have submitted an early bid to sign Dmytro Riznyk ahead of the summer.

The Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper has been capped by Ukraine four times, and looks destined for a move to one of Europe’s elite leagues in 2026.

Daniel Farke hasn’t had a smooth ride with goalkeepers while at Elland Road, and it looks as though Adam Underwood could be tasked with finding another.

Illan Meslier started last season as the number one, but is now left stuck in the academy and ready to leave LS11 once his contract expires in June.

That leaves Karl Darlow, who is also out of contract, and Lucas Perri, the summer signing from Lyon, who hasn’t performed as expected at all.

Leeds are still in the market, and it looks like Riznyk could be their man.

Leeds start to throw money at transfers

With Leeds sitting on 40 points in the Premier League, many believe they are already safe.

Another win over Burnley on Friday is still likely needed, given that they are six points ahead of Tottenham, with Spurs still to play in their final four games.

All eyes will then move to transfers.

According to Transfer Feed on X, Leeds have made an £8.5million bid to sign Shakhtar keeper, Riznyk.

The online source has over 3,000 followers and is backed by some reliable journalists in the field, with no response shared from the management of Shakhtar as of yet.

What happens in the goalkeeper department at Elland Road?

The first domino piece to fall into place will be Meslier leaving.

It has been a rough couple of years for the Frenchman, who will leave with well-wishes from the fans, given the number of years he has spent at Elland Road.

Then it will be interesting to see what happens with Perri and Darlow.

You would expect that the Wales international is in line for a new contract given his performances, but Leeds are also surely on the lookout for a big-name number one.

Riznyk isn’t exactly that, and many would likely prefer Darlow to stick in his place over that.

Perri has also attracted interest away from West Yorkshire, so much may depend on what happens with those two options once the window officially opens.