Leeds United wanted him back. They needed him back, actually. But Karl Darlow won’t be returning to Elland Road after all.
The 35-year-old Welsh international is instead closing in on a move to Manchester United as a free agent, according to The Athletic. Darlow left Leeds at the end of last month when his contract expired, and the club had been in talks about a new deal. Everton also came calling. Both United and the Toffees reportedly made offers. Leeds countered with their own proposal, but it looks like they’ve lost this race entirely.
United needs depth behind Lammens
Manchester United’s move makes sense from a roster perspective. Their current starter is Senne Lammens, the Belgian who arrived from Royal Antwerp for £18 million last summer and immediately took the No. 1 spot. Darlow would come in as backup, which probably means Altay Bayindir is on his way out this summer. The club hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but the deal is at an advanced stage.
For what it’s worth, Darlow isn’t exactly a washed-up veteran collecting a paycheck. He finished last season as Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper after pushing out Lucas Perri, the £16 million summer signing from Brazil. Perri lost his spot in January following a couple of costly mistakes — specifically against Manchester United and Newcastle. Darlow started 22 Premier League matches for Leeds, including that 2-1 win at Old Trafford in April. He also kept five of Leeds’ eight clean sheets in the top flight.
So yeah. He can still play.
A real problem for Farke at Leeds
Losing Darlow is a genuine headache for Leeds boss Daniel Farke. As of right now, his only senior goalkeeper on the roster is Lucas Perri. Illan Meslier already left for Arsenal, the Premier League champions. That leaves a thin, thin depth chart. Perri has shown he’s capable but also prone to mistakes under pressure, and having zero experienced competition behind him is far from ideal.
Darlow’s decision to look elsewhere stings a little more because he genuinely seemed to find a rhythm in Leeds. After a rocky start to his time there, he settled in and became reliable in the second half of the season. The kind of player you want in the room, too. But he’s a free agent at 35, and if Manchester United calls with a chance to be a backup at Old Trafford — maybe with a Champions League run attached — it’s hard to blame him for taking it.
Leeds will need to find another option in the market before the window closes. Whether that means another veteran free agent or a younger loan target remains to be seen. But the clock is ticking, and right now the depth chart has one name on it.
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