Karl Darlow is officially a free agent and suddenly one of the more talked-about veteran goalkeepers on the market. The 35-year-old Welsh international saw his deal with Leeds United run out on Tuesday, and according to Sky Sports, both Everton and Manchester United are now poking around his representatives.
Leeds hasn’t given up. They’ve put a new contract on the table. But Darlow is taking his sweet time to sort through what’s in front of him, and you can’t really blame him. At 35, this might be his last real chance to pick his spot.
Everton needs a third option
Everton’s interest is pretty straightforward. They’ve got Jordan Pickford locked in as the starter and Mark Travers as the backup. But after that? The depth chart gets thin quick. Adding a homegrown, experienced keeper like Darlow on a free transfer is exactly the kind of low-risk move the club tends to like. No drama, no huge fee, just a reliable body who’s played Premier League minutes.
United’s situation is messier
Manchester United’s goalkeeper room is a little more complicated. Senne Lammens has established himself as the clear No. 1, but behind him things are unsettled. Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana both could be on their way out. Onana is expected to head back to Trabzonspor on loan, and Bayindir’s future is up in the air. If Bayindir goes, United will need somebody to sit behind Lammens and not complain about it. Darlow fits that description pretty well.
He’s homegrown, he’s a full international, and he’s not going to cost a transfer fee. For a club trying to manage roster spots and wages, that’s appealing.
Darlow’s last season at Leeds
Darlow ended up playing 22 of Leeds’ 38 top-flight games last season, which is a lot for a guy who started the year as a backup. He stepped in after Lucas Perri made two rough errors against Manchester United and Newcastle, and he basically didn’t give the job back. Before that, he’d covered for Illan Meslier during the 2024/25 promotion run. So it’s not like he’s some unknown quantity. He’s been through the wringer.
Leeds has some work to do in goal regardless. Right now, Perri is the only senior keeper under contract. The club has a verbal agreement with Alex Cairns on a new deal, but nothing is signed yet. Meslier is also a free agent, and there’s Premier League interest from Arsenal, who might want cover for David Raya.
So yeah. Darlow has options. Leeds wants him. Everton is exploring a move. United is watching. For a guy who was a backup last summer, he’s suddenly got some leverage.
Leave a Comment