Jacob Zetterstrom of Derby County
Jacob Zetterstrom of Derby County(Image: Getty Images)
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Leeds United look set to intensify their search for a new goalkeeper as Karl Darlow closed in on a move to Manchester United.
Just days after Illan Meslier struck a deal to join Arsenal, Darlow now looks set to join United after his contract expired at Leeds.
The deal is said to be in its final stages, and it will put Derby County on red alert with Leeds now ready to intensify their search for replacements, with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom reportedly among their list of targets.
Leeds had been keen on a deal for Japan international Kion Suzuki, but, according to reports in Italy, the 23-year-old has turned down the chance of a switch to Elland Road.
Aston Villa have also been linked with Suzuki amid ongoing speculation over the future of Emi Martinez, who has been the subject of firm interest from Juventus.
Last month, it was revealed that Widell Zetterstrom was the centre of enquiries from Leeds, Wolves and German side, Eintracht Frankfurt, with all three asking "for a price" according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Zetterstrom has another year left on his contract at Derby, although it is believed the club does have the option to extend it by a further year.
His stock has soared in the last two years since his move from Djurgarden and he looks to have established himself as Sweden's number one after two excellent performances in the World Cup against Japan and France.
An eight-figure offer may be too tempting for Derby to resist, which would be a massive return on the £1.4m they spent to sign him from the Swedish top flight.
Leeds do need reinforcements in the goalkeeping department with only Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns currently on the books. Perri was previously first choice but like Meslier, he lost his place to Darlow after mistakes against Newcastle, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
That led boss Daniel Farke to take him out of the firing line, but the German now enters the summer needing two goalkeepers.
Leigh Curtis says: The speculation surrounding Zetterstrom and Leeds is not going to go away unless they go and sign somebody else, so we can expect a couple more weeks of rumours both here in England and in Sweden.
For Derby it is a feather in the cap for their scouting department because they've signed a £1.4m goalkeeper who could well fetch a transfer fee of eight figures.
Should that offer be slapped on the table, it's hard to see how Derby turn it down and understandably so. It's a significant sum of money that could recruit a goalkeeper and help strengthen the team elsewhere.
It will be interesting to see what happens, but I don't think we can rule out the possibility of his departure if the money is right.
Would you sell Zetterstrom for £15m? Have your say HERE.
Derby Telegraph's Derby County writer, Leigh Curtis
Derby Telegraph's Derby County writer, Leigh Curtis
The transfer window is now open, the signings are being linked and players could be heading for the exit door at Pride Park as it promises to be a pre-season of change at the club.
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