Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer believes his old side will find it difficult to sign a goalkeeper ready to challenge No.1 Illan Meslier.
Leeds are in need of a new shot-stopper following Kiko Casilla’s loan move to La Liga outfit Elche.
Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman is thought to be high on the club’s list but, according to Football Insider, the 24-year-old has rejected a move to Elland Road.
Can Meslier be displaced?
Yes
No chance
The outlet states Woodman has no interest in playing second fiddle to Meslier, forcing Leeds to look elsewhere.
Palmer now fears the Whites could end up with a No.2 that is happy to just sit on the bench and not a ‘keeper that is ready to push Meslier and offer the Frenchman genuine competition.
“It is a difficult situation,” Palmer said in response to Woodman’s reported snub. “You don’t want a goalkeeper that’s going to come there and that’s happy – and I’ve known goalkeepers who are happy to do that – to just sit on the bench and not play.
“Unfortunately, when you’re looking for a goalkeeper, that is the scenario you start off with.”
Meslier missed just three Premier League games last season, so of course some goalkeepers will understandably not fancy a move to Elland Road, where they are likely to see very little action. That does not seem to be the case with Kristoffer Klaesson, though, who Leeds are now said to be closing in on.