Cost less than Tanaka: Leeds want GK who keeps clean sheet every 3 games

Leeds United now want to sign a new goalkeeper who keeps a clean sheet every three games, and a deal will cost less than what the 49ers Enterprises paid for Ao Tanaka.

Leeds eyeing new goalkeeper to replace Meslier

Daniel Farke’s decision to drop Illan Meslier for the promotion run-in spoke volumes, with Karl Darlow being trusted to do a job between the sticks at the back end of the 2024/25 season.

Darlow received high praise for his performances during the promotion charge, with the Welsh goalkeeper proving to be a dependable option, helping the Whites secure the Championship title on the final day.

However, long-term replacements have been under consideration for quite some time, with Meslier heavily linked with an Elland Road exit this summer.

Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen is among the targets, as are more proven Premier League goalkeepers, including the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Caoimhin Kelleher.

According to a report from Fotboll Direkt, Leeds also want to sign 6 foot 4 Mjallby goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist, who is being watched by several clubs from England and Sweden ahead of a potential summer swoop.

Tornqvist could be an affordable option for the Whites, as Mjallby are looking to hold out for a fee of just £1.5m, far less than the £25m it would take to lure Ramsdale to Elland Road, and the reported £40m asking price for Kelleher.

Farke’s side are unwilling to give up in their pursuit of the shot-stopper, but it remains to be seen whether they make a move, given that a number of more proven goalkeepers on the shortlist.

Signing Tornqvist would be a risk as Leeds No.1

While a deal for the Mjallby goalkeeper would be on the cheap side, it would still be a risk for Farke to bring him in as the new number one, given that he is unproven in a major European league.

That said, the Swede has put in some impressive performances in his home country, and he retains a record of a clean sheet every three games for his current employers, shipping a total of just 83 goals in 78 games.

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The Whites are looking to raid one of their 2024/25 Championship rivals this summer.

As such, Tornqvist could be a savvy signing for Leeds as a back-up or long-term addition, given Darlow’s performances at the back end of last season indicate. The 23-year-old is still young for a goalkeeper, so he’d have plenty of time to adapt to life in the Premier League, potentially repalcing Meslier in the process.

By spending just £1.5m on a goalkeeper, less than the £3m the Whites spent on 24/25 Players’ Player of the Season Tanaka, Leeds should also have available funds to strengthen other areas of the squad, and they are clearly very keen on signing a new striker, with Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo and Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson among the targets.