Joe Lumley spent part of pre-season at Leeds United in the summer after his release from Middlesbrough.
That is according to Phil Hay of the Athletic, who says Lumley joined up briefly with the rest of the squad at Thorp Arch before then joining Southampton on a one-year-deal.
There had been an element of uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeper situation at Leeds throughout the window, with last season’s number one Illan Meslier having been expected to leave.
However, no move ever materialised for Meslier with Leeds chief Angus Kinnear claiming they had turned down an offer north of £20 million for the Frenchman.
Following the departure of Joel Robles, Leeds did bring in an experienced goalkeeper to replace him, with Karl Darlow having made the move from Newcastle United.
Leeds had Lumley in training before Southampton move
However, there is no doubt that Darlow made the move to Elland Road in order to be number one, something which hasn’t happened due to the retention of Meslier.
Darlow is almost certainly one of, if not the best number two in the division and someone you would feel comfortable with filling in occasionally in place of Meslier, certainly more so than Lumley.
It is likely that Leeds would have only taken Lumley had Meslier departed, in order to play second fiddle to Darlow.
He could’ve also provided an alternative to Darlow had they not been able to beat Bournemouth to his signature, which at one stage did look unlikely.
Lumley is now third choice at Southampton after making the move to St. Mary’s in the summer, with Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy ahead of him.
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