Goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald has left Elland Road after just one season, signing for Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. Wiedwald made 30 appearances across all competitions last season before losing his starting position to Northern Ireland shot-stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Having decided to seek first-team action elsewhere, Wiedwald has signed a three-year deal with Frankfurt. Leeds United need to move fast and sign a replacement to fill the void left by the departed shot-stopper. Leeds’ goalkeeping department needs to be addressed after conceding 53 goals, 6 more than what they scored.
So who are the ideal replacements from the names that have been linked with a possible move to Marcelo Bielsa’s squad? Here are 2 players for Leeds United to sign.
David Stockdale (Birmingham City)
According to Birmingham Live, Leeds have already seen a bid for Stockdale knocked back as they failed to meet Birmingham’s valuation. Stockdale has been heavily linked with a move to Elland Road this summer as Garry Monk doesn’t seem to rate him highly.
The 28-year-old has only been at St. Andrews for a season, after joining for free from Bright & Hove Albion. Leeds are in for a new shot-stopper and Stockdale would be an ideal player for his hometown club Leeds United if they are to improve on last season’s 13th-place finish in the Championship.
Marcelo Bielsa will need to table a better offer if he is to land an experienced Championship player with two years remaining on his contract.
Karl Darlow (Newcastle United)
According to Chronicle Live, Leeds United are interested in signing Newcastle United keeper Karl Darlow. He made 12 appearances for Newcastle United last season, including 10 in the Premier League. The Toon were close to sanctioning a sale last summer but their indecisiveness saw Rafa Benitez to retain the player.
With Newcastle United seemingly employing a ‘sell-to-buy’ approach in the transfer market, manager Benitez will be aware of the need to sell players who he deems surplus to requirements at St. James’ Park ahead of the new Premier League season.
Newcastle will not be short of options between the sticks, having completed the signing of Slovakian keeper Martin Dubravka. With no first-team action guaranteed in Tyneside, Darlow will have to make his decision on whether to move back to the Championship for game time.
There will be stiff competition at Newcastle with Rob Elliot, Freddie Woodman and Martin Dubravka battling it out. With Leeds interested in his signature, he must consider a move.
