Leeds United have already agreed a contract extension with their captain, Ethan Ampadu, this summer.
However, the 49ers still have two Leeds players whose futures at the club need to be resolved quickly.
One of these players is Pascal Struijk, with the 26-year-old Dutchman entering the final year of his current deal.
The other is goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the month if the Welshman cannot come to terms with United on a new deal, and with clubs beginning to circle, addressing Darlow’s future is something the 49ers must do sooner rather than later.
Manchester United and Tottenham are keeping tabs on Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow
At this moment in time, Leeds remain in negotiations with Darlow over a new deal.
However, according to the latest report from The Athletic, Manchester United are expected to sign a backup goalkeeper this summer. Unfortunately for us, Darlow has emerged as a genuine target for them.
Alongside Manchester United, Spurs are also said to be interested in the shot stopper. But this depends if Guglielmo Vicario chooses to leave in the summer.
The report also claims that Man United’s conversations regarding Darlow are not advanced. However, the 49ers certainly cannot afford to let the Wales international’s contract negotiations rumble on into July.
Darlow unexpectedly became our first-choice ‘keeper for the second season running. The 35-year-old displaced summer signing Lucas Perri before going on to play the finest football in his Leeds career.
The Whites simply have to tie Darlow down to a new deal. Otherwise, Spurs and Man United can come to the negotiating table themselves and attempt to lure the goalkeeper out of West Yorkshire.
Why are Spurs and Manchester United interested in Karl Darlow?
When Darlow initially signed back in 2023, no one would have anticipated that he would be attracting attention from Spurs and Manchester United in 2026.
Despite being 35, he has proven on multiple occasions for Leeds that he can provide solid competition for a club’s first-choice goalkeeper and even dislodge them.
Even after long spells of not playing, Darlow can come into the team when required and put in a shift.
On top of this, because he came through at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, he is classed as a homegrown player. Premier League squads need eight out of the 25 players in their squad to meet the homegrown quota.
All of this, on top of the fact that he would be a free agent, makes him an extremely attractive option.
After Perri lost his place in the starting XI last season, there is certain to be speculation regarding his future. That is why the 49ers must do everything they can to keep Darlow, whilst also signing a Perri replacement.
This way, we can let the Brazilian, whom Daniel Farke evidently does not trust, leave the club.
If Darlow does sign for Spurs or Manchester United, Leeds could find themselves in a position where they need to sign two shot stoppers this summer. Especially if Perri also agitates for a move, which would be understandable.
So to avoid completley overhauling our goalkeeping department, the 49ers need to get a move on and sign Darlow.
If they don’t, someone else evidently will.
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