Karl Darlow is a free agent as of Tuesday, and suddenly he’s one of the more interesting goalkeepers on the market. Leeds United want him back. But according to reports, Everton and Manchester United are both sniffing around.
Darlow is 35 years old, homegrown, and has Premier League experience. He started 22 games for Leeds last season in the top flight. That’s not nothing. For a club looking for an experienced backup who won’t cost a transfer fee, he’s a pretty logical target.
Everton’s interest makes sense
Everton already have Jordan Pickford and Mark Travers. But depth behind them? Thin. If Pickford gets hurt, Travers is the only real option. Adding Darlow would give Sean Dyche a reliable veteran who knows the league and doesn’t need time to adjust. Sky Sports reported the interest, and the club hasn’t denied it.
Manchester United are in a different spot. They’ve got Senne Lammens as the clear number one after he arrived for £18 million last year. But both Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana could leave this summer. That would leave United thin behind Lammens. Darlow fits the profile of a low-risk, low-cost backup who won’t cause drama.
Leeds are stuck in limbo
Leeds have offered Darlow a new deal. But they’re in a weird place in goal right now. Lucas Perri is the only senior keeper under contract. Alex Cairns is rumored to have agreed to terms but nothing is official. And Illan Meslier is also a free agent, with Arsenal reportedly looking at him as cover for David Raya.
Darlow played a big role in Leeds’ promotion two years ago, then lost the job to Perri before winning it back after Perri made a couple bad mistakes against Manchester United and Newcastle. That kind of bounce-back matters to some clubs.
He’s considering his options. The smart money says he ends up somewhere in the Premier League, whether that’s back at Elland Road or as a backup for a club with European ambitions. Either way, he’s not hurting for choices.
Leave a Comment