Leeds United eye Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman
Leeds United have set their sights on Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman as Victor Orta aims to sign a new goalkeeper, according to Graham Smyth.
Writing on the Yorkshire Evening Post website, Smyth said that Woodman, 24, has been identified as a potential replacement for Kiko Casilla after he joined Elche on a season-long loan.
It is understood the Whites want a deal for a new goalkeeper completed before they play Guiseley in a pre-season friendly on July 27.
Great number two, or competition for Meslier?
There’s no denying that Illan Meslier was superb for us last season.
Not only is he young and inexperienced but he was also one of the best goalkeepers in the entire Premier League.
Sure, he made some mistakes but he never did anything to make us feel as though an upgrade was needed or that Casilla had to return to Marcelo Bielsa’s starting line-up.
Casilla was an awful goalkeeper for us but there’s no doubt Woodman would be an upgrade.
We need a new number two after Casilla joined Elche on loan but Woodman can be way more than that and surely challenge Meslier for his starting spot.
Woodman is 24-years-old so he’s still a baby in goalkeeper terms but he’s already got plenty of matches under his best after two seasons spent on loan at Swansea in the Championship.
Woodman played brilliantly on loan in South Wales with Swans manager Steve Cooper saying he’s someone who’s also “popular” with teammates.
We’d definitely be pleased if we sign Woodman and it could raise Meslier’s performances as well as our performances in the cups, where Casilla let us down massively last season in defeats to Hull and Crawley.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are eyeing this £35,000-a-week forward at a Premier League rival.