Leeds make approach to sign Widell Zetterstrom amid 'huge debut' at World Cup

Leeds United have made a move to sign Widell Zetterstrom from Derby County.

The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the Championship since joining the Rams.

He kept seven clean sheets last season as John Eustace's side narrowly missed out on a play-off place.

That was enough for him to catch the eye of Graham Potter, who featured the keeper in his World Cup squad.

Derby's number one watched on in the first two games before being handed his debut on Friday.

Leeds have been keeping tabs on Zetterstrom and will have been alerted after his showing against Japan.

Widell Zetterstrom World Cup debut shows exactly what Leeds could be getting

There is a desire for a new man between the sticks in LS11 after Illan Meslier's exit.

Karl Darlow could soon follow the Frenchman out the door, while Lucas Perri has also been linked with an exit.

That could leave Daniel Farke with a need for major changes in goal moving into another season in the Premier League.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that Leeds have made contact with Derby County to ask about Zetterstrom's asking price.

The transfer specialist outlined this link after what he described as a "huge debut" on the world stage for the Swede.

He made two saves and prevented 0.27 expected goals to help seal an all-important point in the final group stage game.

Zetterstrom's future now seemingly hangs in the balance at Pride Park which could see his link to a former Rams boss fade.

Zetterstrom has bizarre link to Frank Lampard at Derby County

It's safe to say that Derby and Leeds don't have the best relationship after the spygate controversy.

Marcelo Bielsa and Frank Lampard went head to head, with the latter departing at the end of that season for Chelsea.

The ex-England international lived in the East Midlands in accommodation that has since been moved into by Leeds target Zetterstrom.

Derbyshire Live reported in October 2024 that the Derby helped find a place to say for the Swede which just to happens to be Lampard's old house from his days at Pride Park.

He could shortly follow in the footsteps of the now-Coventry City boss and move from Derby to the Premier League in the coming weeks.