Exclusive: Leeds turn attention to new goalkeeper signing, Daniel Farke’s mind is made up
Leeds United will target the addition of a new starting goalkeeper ahead of next season, sources have told Football Insider.
Daniel Farke is aware that the position is a key area that must be strengthened if the Whites are to establish themselves in the Premier League in the coming years.
The German is unsure over the ability of Lucas Perri, who he has left out in favour of Karl Darlow of late, but the veteran is not seen as a genuine long-term option at Elland Road.
The manager’s hope is that the 35-year-old continues to claim the number one shirt until the end of the season, when a true replacement can then be sourced.
Illan Meslier will also leave Leeds as a free agent in the summer, after a last-minute move to Besiktas fell through in the final stages of the January transfer window.
Lucas Perri ranks among Premier League’s worst goalkeepers
Leeds fans have grown increasingly frustrated with Perri after his performances in the first half of the season, and it is clear that Farke views his form through a similar lense after switching to Darlow in early January
The West Yorkshire outfit had intended the Brazilian to be the solution to their goalkeeping issues from their promotion-winning campaign last time out, when Darlow once again replaced Meslier in the second half of the season.
However, things have quickly turned sour for Perri, who has not displayed the kind of reliable form that is needed when a team are desperately fighting against relegation.
Only Wolves’ Jose Sa has a worse save percentage than him in the Premier League this season, while the Leeds man is also among the worst performers when it comes to saves per 90 and goals conceded per 90.
Farke’s decision to oust him from the starting XI has coincided with a large portion of his team’s recent upturn in form, and it is clear that Perri’s fate is effectively already sealed.
With a new goalkeeper one of the Whites’ immediate ambitions for the summer window, the writing is surely already on the wall for the 28-year-old.
Joel Piroe to push for summer exit from Leeds
Football Insider revealed last week that Joel Piroe is likely to explore a potential exit from Leeds in the summer, if he continues to struggle for gametime between now and the end of the season.
The Dutchman turned down the chance to join Leicester City in the recent January window, while Leeds were also reluctant to lose him amid interest from both Celtic and Rangers.
The striker has had to be patient for very limited opportunities this term, as he now hasn’t started a game in the Premier League since August.
Piroe shone in the FA Cup victory over Derby County last month, but that has not translated into Farke trusting him to make an impact in the league.
If that continues, then he is expected to look elsewhere at the end of the campaign.