Leeds United appear to lead race to sign Karl Darlow as transfer news emerges
Leeds United appear to be the favourites to sign Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow after Hull City have ended their interest, according to Newcastle World reporter Jordan Cronin.
The report suggests that although Elland Road appears to be the most likely destination for the stopper, there is also interest from Bournemouth and Middlesbrough, with the door wide open for Leeds.
Darlow impressed at the MKM Stadium having joined on loan in January, but the Tigers have reportedly been put off making his stay a permanent one due to the Toon wanting £5m to let him depart St James’ Park.
The 32-year-old has plenty of experience, with 52 Premier League appearances to his name and Hull boss Liam Rosenior admitted his disappointment at not being able to secure Darlow’s services again to Hull Live.
He said: “Karl is someone who I loved working with, he’s an outstanding goalkeeper but the price that Newcastle are speaking about is something we can’t do this summer.
“I’m disappointed, but that’s football. My job is to give this football club the best squad possible. Can we be successful without Karl Darlow? One hundred per cent, so we move on.”
A Championship number one?
With each passing day, the future of Illan Meslier seems more and more destined to be away from Elland Road and with young keeper Kristoffer Klaesson deployed between the sticks for the White’s pre-season fixture against Manchester United, a number one is certainly needed.
Darlow’s career has been an odd one, he has struggled to be a consistent first-choice option, however, when at his best he has shown he’s more than capable of being a Premier League keeper, let alone a Championship stopper.
Leeds United are going to face a rather dramatic overhaul of a squad that really did struggle last season, and one way of counteracting that overhaul is to at least have consistency at the back. Darlow knows the division well and looked excellent for Hull in the second half of last season.
If he is able to replicate that form in a Leeds shirt, £5m could end up being a bargain, but with links in the last few days to Bayern Munich keeper Alex Nubel, new manager Daniel Farke may prefer the opportunity to work with a younger keeper with a higher ceiling.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Marc Roca’s Elland Road exit