Eddie Howe confirms Karl Darlow is set to jet to Elland Road ahead of Leeds United move
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that Karl Darlow will be set to fly to Elland Road on Friday, 28 July to finalise his transfer to Leeds United, according to Craig Hope.
Darlow is part of the Magpies travelling squad for the pre-season Premier League ‘Summer Series’ tournament currently being played in the United States but will be heading back to the United Kingdom to confirm his transfer.
The Newcastle team are currently in Atalanta so Darlow won’t be touching down in Yorkshire imminently, but Howe said that he would be travelling to Leeds to complete a medical, suggesting all terms between the two clubs have been agreed.
Former Hull City loanee wasn’t included in the Newcastle squad as they drew 1-1 with Chelsea, Howe instead preferring Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope, and after the match was very open about the fact Darlow would be departing St James’ Park.
Darlow will be the second arrival at Elland Road this summer, joining Ethan Ampadu as Daniel Farke’s new signings ahead of the Whites return to the Championship, having been relegated on the final day of the Premier League season.
Finally get their man
After what has felt like weeks of, will Leeds sign Darlow or won’t they sign Darlow, it’s an incredible relief to get confirmation from someone as close to the deal as Eddie Howe, that it looks like it is finally done.
Whether Darlow is viewed as a new number one (which heavily depends on what happens to Illian Meslier between now and August 31st) or not, he represents an excellent piece of business, bringing with him experience and knowledge of the Championship.
The keeper knows what it takes to get out of England’s second tier, he did it with Newcastle when they were relegated and Farke being able to call on his services in the upcoming campaign greatly increase the Whites’ chances of earning promotion.
Now there will still be some nerves that there could be another twist in this transfer tale, because of how this deal has progressed so far, but with Darlow set to be airborne and on his way to Elland Road, he couldn’t be much closer to being a Leeds United player.
In other Leeds United news, one loaned out Leeds star has refused to speak about making his move away from Elland Road permanent