Leeds United wanted Karl Darlow back on a new deal. That was the plan. But the veteran goalkeeper’s contract expired Tuesday, and now two Premier League clubs are poking around.
Everton is the latest name in the mix, according to Sky Sports. The Toffees are looking for experienced cover behind Senne Lammens, the 22-year-old they paid £18 million for last summer. With Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana both potentially out the door, Sean Dyche’s squad needs someone who can sit on the bench without losing his mind.
The Goalkeeper Carousel Spins Again
Darlow is 35, homegrown, and a full international for England. That checks a lot of boxes for a club trying to stay within Premier League roster rules. He’s also low-cost and low-risk, which is how teams like to fill their backup spots.
Manchester United has been linked for a while. They need a No. 2 behind whoever starts next season. Both Bayindir and Onana could leave, and United’s backup situation has been shaky for years. Darlow isn’t flashy, but he’s reliable. That counts for something.
Darlow played 22 of Leeds’ 38 league games last season. He stepped in for Illan Meslier during the 2024/25 promotion run, then lost the job to summer arrival Lucas Perri. Later in the year he got it back after Perri made two bad errors against Manchester United and Newcastle. That’s the kind of rollercoaster that makes a guy think about his options.
Leeds Has a Hole in Goal
Right now, Perri is the only senior goalkeeper under contract at Elland Road. That’s a problem. Alex Cairns apparently has a verbal agreement for a new deal, but nothing is official yet. Meslier is also a free agent, and he’s drawing interest from Arsenal, who might need cover for David Raya.
Leeds offered Darlow fresh terms, but they’re not the only ones. And the longer this drags out, the more likely he walks. At 35, this might be his last chance at a Premier League stint as a No. 2 who actually plays sometimes.
There’s been some chatter about Parma’s Zion Suzuki, the Japan international. Scouts like him. But there’s no active pursuit right now. Leeds may need to move fast if Darlow slips away.
The keeper situation at Elland Road has been a revolving door since Meslier’s form dipped. Darlow was supposed to be the steady hand. Now it’s not clear who will be in net come August.
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