Leeds United transfer news as Karl Darlow may sign before Hearts clash
Leeds United may complete their deal for Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow before the squad travels to Edinburgh for their pre-season friendly against Hearts, according to journalist Graham Smyth.
Smyth shared when speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast that Leeds may complete the deal before their game against Hearts in Scotland on Sunday 30 June.
It was also reported that Leeds were unbothered by interest from Bournemouth, and kept their move for Darlow active, with advanced talks now in place to bring the keeper to the club.
Speaking to the Inside Elland Road podcast on 26 July, Smyth reported: “Leeds are in advanced talks with Newcastle for him [Darlow]. The Bournemouth thing last week, where it looked like he was going to go to Bournemouth… Leeds were pretty unconcerned.
“The stance was ‘it’s not done yet’ and they obviously felt they were still in with a very good chance. As it happens, Bournemouth are getting the guy from Inter [Radu] and Leeds are going for Darlow.
“I would expect that to happen now, it’s heading in the right direction. Perhaps they can get that done before they travel to Edinburgh this weekend.”
A conclusion at last
This move, as with any transfer that turns into something of a saga, has felt like it has dragged on all summer. In reality, it has only been a couple of weeks since Leeds were first linked to Darlow, but the move finally looks like it will reach its conclusion this week.
Leeds have been targeting goalkeepers this summer as they look to strengthen between the posts, with a move for Bayern Munich goalkeeper Alexander Nubel also on the cards but Stuttgart appears to be the preferred destination for the German.
The Yorkshire club will be happy to have beaten away interest from a Premier League side in their efforts to sign Darlow, as it displays the club’s pulling power despite their new status as a second-division club.
Should Darlow arrive ahead of this weekend’s pre-season clash, he will be given plenty of time to settle in, and adapt to his new surroundings, new people, and a new style of play, before the Championship season begins in August.
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