Out of all the areas that need strengthening in Leeds United's first team squad, perhaps goalkeeper ought to take priority. The rest of the team can be upgraded but without a good shot-stopper, any top flight team will struggle.
In the same vein, it’s also a struggle to find a shot-stopper of the required quality. The reality is, United are near the bottom of the Premier League food chain and there are only so many ‘keepers to be passed around.
Yet it is clear a new number one is needed. The dropping of Illan Meslier seven games from the end of the season was ominous for the Frenchman.
Daniel Farke had indicated it was a rarity for him to change his first-choice goalkeeper but even his stubbornness was broken after the nadir against Swansea City. As it happens, Meslier - who has 107 games of Premier League experience - kept the same number of clean sheets as he did last season (21).
But even teammates worried about his confidence after that fateful match at Elland Road, his clangers far from the first of the season. Karl Darlow came in and showed little sign of rust as he clung to balls and punched clear to help Leeds over the line.
It seems more likely that he would settle for a bench seat next season than Meslier, who is still 25 and perhaps needs a reset. The brutal nature of the current spending regulations means United will need to sell to bring in more funds for new arrivals.
With Alex Cairns, content as third choice, also helping with the homegrown quota, there is little point having four senior goalkeepers in a summer where every penny counts. Darlow has played 52 Premier League games, so it’s not like he is entering unknown territory if called upon.
Obviously the same can be said of Meslier - who, like all three goalkeepers, has a year left on his contract - but he would drum up the most cash that could be put towards a new No.1. But who might that be?
Leeds always faced a battle to land Liverpool ace Caoimhin Kelleher, given it would mean convincing the title-winner to accept a season fighting at the other end of the table. The purported £12.5million fee agreed with Brentford could actually rise to just under £20m - Liverpool’s initial price tag - when all is said and done.
If available, Newcastle United’s Nick Pope, 33, could go for a cheaper price given he is nearly seven years older than Kelleher and has less left time remaining on his current contract - one year compared to Kelleher’s two.
Ideally, Leeds would like a goalkeeper for the long term but in the first season, it is all about survival and bringing in who you can to help with that. Pope is the perfect short-term fit in this regard, and anyway, the career of a goalkeeper always lasts longer than an outfielder’s.
Another small but appealing aspect is that he fits the homegrown quota, helping to ease one headache. And with more than 220 Premier League appearances under his belt, Pope would be an attractive proposition.
One drawback to consider is his injury record, having sat out more than 40 games over the last three seasons with setbacks, including 11 in the campaign just gone. So the number two is still important and the question is whether Farke would prefer Meslier or Darlow to fill that secondary spot.
That decision may in part be dictated by the transfer market and Meslier’s own thoughts. And besides, Championship promotion can be gained in spite of persistent errors and lack of confidence but Premier League survival cannot be.