Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Wed 27 May 2026 12:15, UK

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Karl Darlow is facing an uncertain future at Leeds United, and Daniel Farke has a huge decision to make on the goalkeeper position.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who says that the Whites are “signalling” that an upgrade between the sticks is required this summer.

The 35-year-old Welshman has become Farke’s first choice at Elland Road this season, keeping five clean sheets as Leeds finished 14th in the Premier League table, but he has just weeks left on his contract.

Farke has demanded to be backed in the summer transfer market, and it would seem as though plans are already taking shape ahead of the window opening on 15 June.

Karl Darlow contract is not a certainty at Leeds United

Despite holding down a starting spot this season, Darlow’s contract is set to expire next month, and he is yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms, dragging his future at Elland Road into uncertainty.

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the shot-stopper hasn’t done enough to earn a “vote of confidence”.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has urged the Whites to make a decision one way or another, with a big question mark hanging over the squad right now.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “They’re signalling, obviously, that they’re not that happy with Darlow, and I think that it’s a key position, goalkeeper, and they’ve got to get this right.

“They’re going to have to move quickly either way, either give him the vote of confidence or try to bring in a new number one. But it’s difficult, having not really given him the vote of confidence.

“It’s a key issue. And I’m sure Daniel Farke has got sleepless nights about deciding on that because the keeper is a big thing for the Premier League going forward. And he’s been reasonably good with defence in the second half of the season.

“So it’s still a question mark. There’s a question mark with Darlow. They’re really not quite happy with him, otherwise they’d have done it [offered him a new contract].

“It’s a tricky one. And I think Farke has got to decide quickly. Speed is going to have to be of the essence to get this out of the media as quickly as possible.”

Who could the Whites sign as a replacement for Darlow?

If this is to be Darlow’s final season at Elland Road, getting a new goalkeeper through the doors will be crucial to Leeds’ success. Lucas Perri as the first choice simply won’t do.

It is understood that Leeds are interested in James Trafford of Manchester City, but a whole plethora of clubs are keeping tabs on the England international’s situation at the Etihad Stadium.

The Whites had previously eyed moves for Caoimhin Kelleher and Djordje Petrovic, but those players have since made moves to permanent clubs, where they signed long-term contracts.

Football Insider understands that Leeds are closing in on a deal for Dmytro Riznyk, but until players are signing across the dotted line, Farke won’t be pleased about the club’s business this summer.