Leeds United must now eye another goalkeeper this summer after it became clear that Newcastle United’s Nick Pope would not be moving.
The fact is that Leeds United need better than both Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier and Pope had emerged as a top target for Leeds in the summer window.
Truthfully Pope was always likely to be a complicated transfer for Leeds to complete this summer, even as Pope enters the final 12 months of his Newcastle deal.
However, on Monday Beren Cross ended Leeds’ chances of Pope, meaning they will have to turn to alternatives instead. The 33-year-old intends to challenge James Trafford as No.1.
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Leeds United should eye these goalkeepers after missing out on Nick Pope
Leeds have been linked with numerous goalkeepers already but need to act swiftly to find an alternative to Pope if he was their top target this summer.
Pre-season training begins next week and Daniel Farke and the 49ers will want as many of their critical positions filled as possible for a full training programme throughout July and August.
With that in mind, we have taken a look at three options Leeds could now turn to after missing out on Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford and with Pope staying put.
1. Stefan Ortega – Manchester City
Stefan Ortega should be interesting Leeds this summer after reports stated he would be happy to leave Pep Guardiola’s side for another Premier League opportunity this summer.
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Due to regular first-team football deserting him at the Etihad with Man City, he is in need of a fresh start while in the prime years of his career. After three seasons of being City’s No.2, he could become No.1 for Leeds instead.
Leeds and Daniel Farke would be totally negligent not to contemplate Ortega as an option in the summer transfer window over other potential names. However, his wages could definitely be an issue for Leeds.
He has competed in relegation battles previously, which would serve the 32-year-old well in front of a Leeds defence that looks like becoming steelier with every passing day of the transfer window.
Lucas Perri gives a thumbs up during Rangers vs Lyon.
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2. Lucas Perri – Lyon
Leeds are keen on Lyon’s Lucas Perri in a £12.8 million deal this summer. That is despite some reports recently that Perri is off the table for Leeds as an option.
He is the first-choice for a Europa League side, but that’s if Lyon aren’t dismissed from Ligue 1 and placed in Ligue 2. The French giants will want to retain Perri if possible but the 6’6″ Brazilian is one to watch for Leeds.
Leeds United are pursuing a goalkeeper and Lyon's Lucas Perri is one of several names on their shortlist. Brazilian was their number one last season. No bid or talks as yet.
Lyon currently in limbo regarding league status for next season. Leeds monitoring that situation. #lufc
— Beren Cross (@BerenCross) July 2, 2025
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Their interest doesn’t seem to have subsided and the 27-year-old ticks plenty of boxes for Leeds, even if Ortega has been tested in terms of his mental fortitude more for Arminia Bielefeld in Germany where Perri may lack that experience.
3. Robin Zentner – Mainz
Our wild card pick is a player with excellent underlying numbers in 2024/25 with his Bundesliga side, helping them to a UEFA Conference League finish.
Robin Zentner has experience of playing for a side who come under the cosh frequently, which is perhaps where he has an edge over Perri, but also Ortega from his recent seasons in Manchester.
Per FotMob, he had the fourth-best save percentage (71.3%) in the Bundesliga last term, while also sitting fourth for ‘goals prevented’ with 5.0 kept out more than he was expected to manage on xG.
Any of the three would make sense for Leeds, but moving quickly has to be their next step.