Leeds United are reportedly closing in on the signing of Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow as Bournemouth chose to sign Inter Milan’s Andrei Radu – and it sees us finally sign a £4m target for Marcelo Bielsa back in 2018.
Darlow was being linked with both Leeds and Bournemouth – and it looked as though the Cherries were winning the race. Even though it was not clear Darlow would start over Neto, it looked like he was going to Andoni Iraola’s side.
However, in a surprise turn of events on Tuesday afternoon – Fabrizio Romano reported that Bournemouth are close to the signing of Radu. Then, Graham Smyth and Romano reported Leeds were pushing ahead in talks for Darlow.
So, Darlow is on his way to Leeds. The Whites are trying to get a deal done with Darlow currently in the US, along with Newcastle United on their pre-season tour. But things look confident and Darlow will be our second addition.
It will finally see Leeds move for Darlow. A name and a player that has been on our shortlist for some time. Even, during Bielsa’s time. The YEP said in December 2018 that Darlow was a £4m target for Leeds, ahead of January.
Leeds closing in on Karl Darlow, a £4m target for Marcelo Bielsa in 2018
From Bielsa’s start at Leeds that summer, until January, Leeds used Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Jamal Blackman and Will Huffer – for one game. In that January, Leeds went big – luring Kiko Casilla to Yorkshire from Real Madrid. Failure.
Darlow remained in the Premier League with Newcastle, the club he has been with since swapping Forest for the Toon with Jamaal Lascelles back in 2014. His only time away from Newcastle was the second half of last season.
It might be that spell in which convinced Leeds – five clean sheets, only 14 goals against in 12 Hull games in the second tier. So, Leeds look like they have finally got the man Bielsa could have signed in January 2019 for £4m.
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