Leeds set sights on January signing amid fears mainstay may quit - Source

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Published on:

14 Nov 2019, 5:17 am

Leeds United are in the market for a new goalkeeper in January regardless of Kiko Casilla's situation, Football Insider has learned.

Casilla has been granted an extension over his FA racism charge until 27 November amid fears he could be suspended for up to 12 matches.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider that the club are preparing for all eventualities and recruitment chief Victor Orta is looking to bring in a new keeper who is capable of competing for the number one shirt.

Casilla has denied an FA charge of an alleged racial slur at Charlton's Jonathan Leko but FA rules state anyone found guilty of an aggravated breach faces a mandatory minimum suspension of six matches, which may be increased based on any additional aggravating factors.

Leeds fear Casilla may seek an exit from English football if he is found guilty and that could leave them with a major issue in goal both in the short and long term.

As reported by Football Insider, Ilan Meslier is in line to take over from the ex-Real Madrid keeper Casilla if he is handed a ban.

But there are doubts among Marcelo Bielsa and his coaching staff about whether the young Frenchman is capable of an extended spell in the first team.

He has made 30 appearances for his parent club Lorient in France's Ligue 2 but the Championship is considered a more demanding league.

Bielsa also insists his keepers build attacks from the back and they require a high degree of technical ability as well as the mentality to take calculated risks.

Casilla has been instrumental in Leeds having comfortably the best defensive record in the Championship this season.

He has conceded just nine goals from the club's 16 league matches this season, four less than his closest rivals at Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

In other Leeds United news, Danny Mills claims that the club have agreed contract terms with a Premier League-ready talent.

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