Leeds on the back foot over Karl Darlow transfer interest unless promise made

The Welshman - whose deal expires at the end of this month - has already been linked with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and more recently Manchester United. Neither would want him as a first-choice.

The question is, do Leeds? Darlow has been the second choice at the start of each of his three seasons under Daniel Farke. In the last two, Darlow has usurped the number one.

Turning 35 next year, Darlow has a decision to make, one that will be informed by Leeds’ intentions. Edging towards veterancy even in the goalkeeping world, he only has so many top tier years left.

Realistically, it has nearly been a decade since Darlow was the firm season-long number one pick; the shot-stopper playing 34 Championship games upon helping Newcastle United return to the top flight in 2016/17.

His 25-game Premier League run with the Magpies during the 2020/21 campaign came as a result of a long-term injury to Martin Dubravka. Now more than ever, Darlow should feel he deserves to start a season as the number one. It might be his last chance.

Leeds are expected to make efforts to keep Darlow but they have to decide whether to grant him first-choice promises or, as expected, ask him to sign on as a back-up again. In January, Farke hinted that he would have liked a new goalkeeper ideally.

However, he has always spoken highly of Darlow and has intimated that he would like to keep hold of him. The issue is that if the ‘keeper is to only be offered a back-up role, Leeds themselves might be on the back foot.

After all, if the likes of Spurs and Champions League Man Utd come calling offering the same role with bigger wages - and Darlow obliges to not being a number one for the next few years - then his decision becomes simpler.

Leeds are meanwhile tipped to dip into the goalkeeping market, with questions over Lucas Perri following his £13.9m transfer from Lyon last summer. His value has decreased but Leeds might also have to make a call on him, albeit Darlow’s own decision seems to be the linchpin in the whole goalkeeper transfer outlook.

While the World Cup could compress activity to the back end of the window, Leeds cannot afford to wait around too long to push the train further along the tracks. They will have plans for all scenarios but ultimately, aside from contract talks, the outcome is out of Leeds’ hands.

Darlow is soon to be a free agent and his representatives will be assessing options. Leeds is familiar and homely, especially alongside Wales colleagues, and with international exploits to think of, he might lean on the side of game time.

Then it is up to United to decipher whether they wish to grant him such a promise going into next season. There is an obvious way to retain Darlow but it is whether Leeds and Farke decide that this is the route they wish to take.