Leeds United need a new goalkeeper this summer with Illan Meslier expected to leave the club and Karl Darlow potentially considering his future ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Meslier is about to enter the final year of his contract at Elland Road and was dropped by Daniel Farke during the last seven games of the Championship season. Phil Hay thinks Meslier’s time at Leeds is over.
Darlow came in to replace Meslier and impressed. His form in a Leeds shirt has helped him strengthen his position as Craig Bellamy’s first-choice goalkeeper with Wales, a year before the 2026 World Cup.
If Darlow is to remain first choice ahead of the World Cup, he will need to continue playing and that may tempt him to leave Leeds this summer in search of game time. Like Meslier, his deal ends in June 2026.
Leeds have been linked with plenty of keepers but sources have told LeedsUnited.News that Neymar’s Santos teammate Gabriel Brazao is a target for Leeds, thanks to his super form since returning to Brazil.
Leeds suffer blow in pursuit of Santos stopper Gabriel Brazao
Clocking up 57 appearances since returning to Brazil from Inter Milan at the start of 2024, Brazao has conceded 57 goals but kept an impressive 21 clean sheets. It has seen Leeds target a move for Brazao.
But now, those hopes of luring Brazao to England are over. That is because Brazilian outlet Bolavip report that Santos have entered talks to give the goalkeeper a new contract and afford him a big pay rise.
The report states the shot-stopper wants to stay at Santos having resurrected his career with Neymar’s team, after a troublesome period on the books at Inter in which Brazao was sent on loan five times.
Which other goalkeepers have Leeds been linked with so far…
Leeds missed out on Caoimhin Kelleher with Ireland’s no.1 joining Brentford, replacing Mark Flekken who has gone to Bayer Leverkusen. Four England internationals have since been linked with a move to Leeds.
Sam Johnstone, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope and James Trafford are all said to be on the Leeds list – but it is Pope, of the four, that is probably most-likely. But, it hinges on Trafford joining Newcastle for £30m.
Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic is on the list, while Swedish goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist is open to a move having starred for Mjallby. But, likely, the keeper Leeds do eventually sign is yet to be linked.
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