Leeds United have advantage in transfer chase for Newcastle United stopper Karl Darlow as Bournemouth open talks over £5m deal
Leeds have an advantage in the race for Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow’s signature as his family are based in the north-east, according to Joe Donnohue.
According to a report by Alan Nixon (18 July), Bournemouth have opened talks with the Magpies about a £5m deal for the 32-year-old goalkeeper who is also wanted at Elland Road as they look to bolster the goalkeeper department.
And writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post (19 July), journalist Donnohue is reporting that Leeds have an advantage in the race for his signature as his family are based closer to Elland Road although any potential contract offer is likely to be less lucrative.
“The likelihood of Darlow arriving at Elland Road as No. 1 for the 2023/24 Championship campaign, in addition to the club’s proximity to the 32-year-old’s young family based in the north east, is thought to stand in Leeds’ favour,” he wrote.
“For now, Newcastle are yet to receive a formal offer to sign Darlow permanently but Leeds, Hull and Bournemouth are all understood to have enquired regarding his availability this summer.”
Competition
Leeds are going to have to work quickly and hard to get the Darlow deal over the line, but while they can’t really compete financially it’s great to hear that they do have advantages.
Darlow surely would prefer to be the number-one goalkeeper wherever he ends up and that is more likely at Elland Road than Bournemouth considering their captain is their current number-one goalkeeper.
We have the ability to offer him that, especially if Illan Meslier is to leave the club as expected, while also keeping him nearer to his family and the ability to play in front of a huge crowd in a competitive league regularly.
If we can agree the transfer fee with Newcastle then there is no doubt that it’s because we’ve had the yes from the player, but we’ll have to move quickly to do it since Bournemouth are already moving ahead with a deal.
In other Leeds news, the club have tabled an offer for a Champions League winning striker.