A World Cup goalkeeper is on Leeds United’s list in the search for a new no 2 to back up the record signing new no 1.
Leeds unveiled England international goalkeeper James Trafford as the club’s new no 1 and new record signing on Thursday evening, the 23-year-old joining the Whites for £40m plus add-ons from Manchester City.
But the Whites remain in the market for another goalkeeper as they look for a new no 2 following the exits of Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier and imminent departure of Lucas Perri.
Darlow and Meslier both left the club this summer upon their contracts expiring, Darlow turning down the offer of a new deal and instead signing for Manchester United.
Meslier, meanwhile, who had not played a single minute of football all season, sealed a surprise switch to Arsenal to provide cover to David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Their exits left Perri and Alex Cairns as the only keepers in the squad excluding youngsters and Torino are interested in signing Perri.
Leeds were not prepared to let Perri depart until they had signed a new keeper but Trafford’s arrival will pave the way for Perri’s exit once he recovers from a slight quad injury.
It is expected that Perri will join the club on an initial loan deal with an option to buy clause as Leeds bring in a new no 2.
The YEP understands that the club have a list of five to ten keepers that they are looking at, including Paraguay’s World Cup star Orlando Gill.
Gill, 26, who plays for Argentine Primera Division side San Lorenzo, played every minute of all five games for Paraguay at the World Cup as his side dumped out Germany en route to the round of 16 where they were finally beaten by France.
Gill, though, whose club contract runs until the end of 2027, is just one of several names being looked at and the YEP understands that reports from South America that Leeds have made a bid are wide of the mark.
World Cup goalkeeper on Leeds United list in search for James Trafford deputy and Whites man exit now expected
World Cup goalkeeper on Leeds United list in search for James Trafford deputy and Whites man exit now expected