Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow is reportedly one of four goalkeepers under discussion at Elland Road this summer with the Whites preparing to replace Illan Meslier and Joel Robles – and Eden Hazard is a fan of Darlow’s.
Meslier is likely to be sold, and Robles is set to become a free agent on June 30 – but has been invited back to train with the club during pre-season. As has Adam Forshaw. So, Leeds will need a goalkeeper, and they might need two.
Darlow, 32, still has two years left on his Newcastle deal. But the chances are, the Toon will sell him this summer. It comes after he went on loan to Hull during the second half of last term. Hull are desperate to keep him at the club.
But FLW say the ex-Forest man is one of four goalkeepers under the microscope at Elland Road. The others include Rotherham’s Viktor Johansson, Preston’s Freddie Woodman and Fulham’s Marek Rodak. Johansson is top of the list.
But Darlow has plenty more experience than any of the others. He has Premier League know how – which Woodman and Johansson lack, and Rodak has four outings in the top tier. Darlow has even earned praise from Hazard in 2017.
Speaking after Chelsea won 3-1 in December 2017, in which Hazard scored twice, he still retained praise for Darlow on Chelsea’s site: “I have to say that is a great goalkeeper, he saved two great chances. I should have scored more.”
Karl Darlow discussed as an option for Leeds, Eden Hazard is a big fan
While he might not be as good with the ball at his feet as Rodak or Woodman, or as all-rounded as Johansson – what £30k-a-week Darlow does have in the bag is experience, and the ability to impress in the Premier League.
His arrival would hardly get bums off seats. But, it would be a smart move. A very solid goalkeeper who has tasted promotion before with Newcastle. His CV has all the ingredients Leeds need when it comes to adding new players.
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