Michael Zetterer of Eintracht Frankfurt
Michael Zetterer of Eintracht Frankfurt(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
View Image
Leeds United remain confident of signing Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer, despite one of the player's representatives refuting suggestions that a deal in principle is close.
On Thursday, The Athletic first shared that Leeds were approaching an outline agreement with the German club, amid the intention of making him their new back-up option behind new number one James Trafford.
Then, on Friday morning, Nico Pellatz - who sits as a goalkeeper consultant for the player's agency - told German newspaper BILD that he was “very surprised by reports”.
He added: “These reports are simply untrue. Michael and his family are very happy in Frankfurt. A move is currently out of the question for him.”
However, Leeds sources have reaffirmed to Leeds Live that they remain confident of landing the goalkeeper and that Pellatz’s comments do not line up with their understanding of the situation.
*FOLLOW OUR LUFC FACEBOOK PAGE!Latest news, analysis and more on our Leeds United FB page*
The transfer of Zetterer would be contingent on a goalkeeper merry-go-round that includes Lucas Perri and Frankfurt bringing in a replacement. Leeds are waiting for Perri to recover from his quad injury before allowing him to leave, with Torino lining up a loan with option to buy offer.
Contacts in Turin have underlined that a club-to-club deal for Perri has not yet been formalised but his agent has travelled to Italy this week. Torino wanted the move to have been sealed by now and are anxious about completing it soon.
Perri - who arrived for £13.9m last summer before being dropped as number one in January - only played 45 minutes of football, against Wrexham, in pre-season due to his setback and has not played a game for nearly a month.
Barring long-term injury to Trafford, Zetterer would be subject to limited game time for the duration of his stay at Leeds, should he agree to a move. Trafford, 23, is seen as the firm number one choice following his club record £40m arrival.
Zetterer - still of prime age for a goalkeeper at age 31 - played 29 matches last season, five of which came in the Champions League.
It is possible he would play just one cup game for Leeds, should they lose to Nottingham Forest in the League Cup on Tuesday - likely too soon for any arrival - and the club be knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round.
Zetterer only joined from Werder Bremen last year for around £5m. His contract at Frankfurt holds until 2029.
Leeds United 2026/27 Third Kit
Content Image
Content Image