Leeds United are almost certain to sign a new goalkeeper this summer as Illan Meslier is expected to move on after losing his place in the team towards the end of the Whites’ run to the Championship title and promotion last season.
Karl Darlow did a good job of replacing Meslier between the sticks as Leeds won the Championship and earned promotion to the Premier League. However, he is not seen as a long-term solution to become the new number one for the Whites in the top flight of English football.
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Leeds sporting director Adam Underwood and his recruitment team have been keeping tabs on several goalkeepers, and a shortlist is in place for the Whites to pursue a new number one in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The Yorkshire giants have been considering their options over the last few weeks, but they would have to move early if they do not want to miss out on one of their priority goalkeeping targets in the near future.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
Leeds United could lose out on Vanja Milenkovic-Savic
Torino’s Vanja Milenkovic-Savic has emerged as the number one goalkeeping target for Leeds, who have put in enquiries to secure a deal for him this summer.
However, the goalkeeper is in favour of joining Serie A champions Napoli, who are also in the market for a new shot-stopper in the ongoing window.
According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato, Napoli are set to hold talks with Torino in the coming days to try and secure a deal to sign him.
Milenkovic-Savic wants the move, and personal terms are already in place between his representatives and Napoli.
However, a deal is not done yet, and there is a potential conflict as Napoli do not want to pay the £19m release clause in his Torino contract.
Leeds are still in the race, but they must act fast
The Yorkshire giants are still very much in the race to sign Milenkovic-Savic as the release clause wrangle between the two Italian clubs could work in their favour.
Torino are not interested in letting their number one leave the club unless a team are prepared to trigger the release clause in his contract.
Napoli do not want to pay the £19m figure as they are not interested in paying such a sum for a goalkeeper when they already have Alex Meret in the squad.
Leeds are prepared to trigger the release clause, but they have to convince the goalkeeper to accept a move to Elland Road over Naples this summer.
The Whites are depending on Torino sticking to their tough stance and Napoli not agreeing to pay the clause for Milenkovic-Savic this summer.
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