Meet Orjan Nyland, Norway's World Cup star Leeds United could land in bargain deal

Leeds United reportedly have eyes on a swoop for Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

With Lucas Perri potentially on his way out this summer and now that Karl Darlow is a free agent, Daniel Farke knows he needs a new number one shot-stopper for 2026-27.

However, top goalkeepers rarely hit the market, as clubs are loathed to lose them when they have one in their ranks.

Leeds could find this market tough sledding as the summer window continues, potentially leading them to look towards the free agent market, and specifically, Nyland.

The 35-year-old left Spanish giants Sevilla earlier this summer upon the expiration of his contract.

Norway are preparing to play a World Cup quarter-final against England on Saturday, and their players owe a significant amount of thanks to Nyland for helping them get there.

Leeds don't have clear transfer run at Orjan Nyland

Deals for free agents can often move quickly given the nature of the buying club not needing to go through negotiations with a player's parent side.

In the case of Nyland, however, his situation feels like one that could turn into a summer-long saga.

According to a report from The Sun on Tuesday evening, Leeds are one of five British clubs preparing to swoop for Nyland this summer.

Manchester City are the only other side named as being interested in the report, but that would suggest the other three teams are also of significant standing.

Nyland, once of Aston Villa and Bournemouth, has also spent time with fellow English clubs Norwich City and Reading.

It's not made clear the kind of salary expectations Nyland has in the report, but his exploits at the World Cup are likely to have bumped up his wage demands.

One display alone enough to earn Nyland Premier League move

Despite not currently having a club to play for, Nyland has started and played the duration of four of Norway's five games at this summer's World Cup so far.

Norway have won every single one of their games he's been between the sticks at the tournament, and his most recent outing against Brazil proved precisely why he's garnering interest from the likes of Leeds and Man City.

Not only did he save Bruno Guimaraes' 14th-minute penalty in the Round of 16 tie, as per FotMob, he also prevented 0.76 goals and made three diving saves against the Brazilians.

Nyland took 51 touches, made seven recoveries, played 12 accurate long balls and made three of his four saves from shots inside the box respectively, as Norway ran out 2-1 winners.

He was also excellent in the last-32 win over Ivory Coast, again making four saves, six recoveries and completing 80 per cent of his passes.

So, whilst his age would mean he's probably not a long-term option for Leeds, Nyland's World Cup showings have proven that at the very least, he'd be an excellent and reliable bridge goalkeeper at Elland Road.