Lothar Matthaus has already told Leeds why they should sign Michael Zetterer with deal close
Leeds United are reportedly edging closer to a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer.
Having said goodbye to Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier this summer, Daniel Farke has had to revamp the goalkeeping department at Elland Road.
James Trafford has joined from Manchester City in a club-record £40million deal, while Lucas Perri could yet leave West Yorkshire too, with a move to Torino on the cards.
It means that Farke is after a back-up option for Trafford, and Zetterer is widely reported to be an option.
The 31-year-old former Germany Under-21 international was Frankfurt's most-used goalkeeper last season, appearing 29 times in all competitions and keeping seven clean sheets.
He could now become a second-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League, according to the latest newspaper update on Friday morning.
What the state of play is for Leeds to sign Michael Zetterer
The Daily Mail reported in page 71 of their print edition on 21 August that Leeds are "clising on a deal" for Zetterer.
It is also understood that the Whites are keen on signing Chelsea striker Liam Delap as Farke looks to strengthen both ends of the squad.
It was claimed earlier this week that Zetterer wasn't keen on the idea of joining Leeds, especially as he'd only joined Frankfurt from Werder Bremen last year when he signed a four-year contract.
It remains to be seen whether or not Zetterer has changed his mind but despite massive praise from German legend Lothar Matthaus, he might not be a first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League next season should he make the move to England.
Why Lothar Matthaus is such a big fan of Zetterer
Speaking in December 2024 after Zetterer shone in a 2-0 Werder Bremen win over St Pauli, Matthaus waxed lyrical about the shot-stopper.
"Zetterer is one of the best Bundesliga goalkeepers this season," said the ex-Germany star on Sky Sports.
"Before he catches the ball, he already knows what he's going to do. He's ahead of us head-on."
Throughout his career, Zetterer has 85 Bundesliga appearances to his name.
He's struggled to become a number-one choice in that time, playing just 80 times in total for Werder despite spending 10 years on their books.
At Frankfurt, he's had a bigger role, but he was still rotated out of the squad a handful of times with young Brazilian shot-stopper Kaua Santos being given a chance to impress.
Leeds can definitely tempt Zetterer. He's not going to be number one - nowhere near it with Trafford at the club.
However, he'll get the chance to work alongside a fellow German manager in Farke in the Premier League at a late stage in his career, and that could sway him.