Leeds United could sign Freddie Woodman from ‘reluctant’ Preston North End for as little as £4m
Leeds United may be able to sign Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman for as little as £4million, according to Lancs Live reporter George Hodgson.
Daniel Farke is in the market for a new keeper this summer, as Illan Meslier is expected to leave Elland Road and back up Joel Robles’ contract already having expired, while the Whites were ready to meet Bayern Munich’s asking price for Alex Nubel before the German snubbed a move to the English Championship.
Football League World reported on 21 June that talks had already been undertaken over long-term targets Karl Darlow at Newcastle, Marek Rodek and Fulham, and PNE’s Woodman, and it appears the latter could be a very affordable option.
Hodgson told Leeds Live: “North End players are always for sale at the right price. Player trading is important for a club like PNE, though they would be reluctant to lose Woodman after just one year with him.
“He’s under contract until 2025 and I’d imagine anything around the £4/5million mark would give them a decision to make.”
Reachable target
The Whites have been in transfer talks for a current Newcastle keeper in Darlow but it looks like a former Magpies man in Woodman, 26, might be the more gettable option.
Meslier’s market hasn’t turned out to be anywhere near as extensive as might have been expected at points over the past three years after his form dipped during the relegation battle and he lost his place to Robles.
But the view inside Elland Road certainly appears to be that he won’t be around for next season given the relatively extensive activity at the goalkeeper position.
Kristoffer Klaesson would be an untried option to rely on for a promotion push so somebody surely needs to be brought in to answer the question at a key position.
Woodman has extensive experience in the second tier with 134 appearances for PNE and Swansea, and since Leeds United now have an opening for a starter it seems as likely as ever that they would make a push for a man they’ve had long-term interest in and who Eddie Howe called an “outstanding young goalkeeper” last summer ahead of his move to Deepdale [Northern Echo].
And now that a host of first-team players have been confirmed as departures after Farke’s belated arrival supporters would feel much easier if the manager is able to start adding to his squad ahead of the start of the new season.
In other Leeds United news, one key man is “definitely more open” to staying at Elland Road despite extensive exit options.