Newcastle regular is perfect replacement for wantaway Leeds star - on brink of summer exit

COMMENT

Leeds United should look to swoop for Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow to replace Andy Lonergan with a move to Sunderland mooted for the veteran. As exclusively revealed by

Football Insider

, t

he Whites have held talks with the Magpies' fierce north east rivals over a potential swap deal between the two clubs

, while further claims have

stated that Lonergan is keen on a move to Wearside after struggling for game time since arriving at Elland Road

. However, the

Sunderland Echo

state that

the Yorkshire club will not sanction the 34-year-old's departure without first finding a replacement

, and with less than a week before the January transfer window slams shut, the race is on to source a replacement for the summer signing. As such, the Whites should be looking to Sunderland's north east counterparts, with Darlow the perfect addition to boost the push for a top six finish this season. The 27-year-old might be the Magpies' current first choice but it did not look like he would be at St James' Park when the summer window ended, with

the player himself confirming he was on the brink of leaving for Leeds' Championship rivals Middlesbrough before the move was cancelled

. He has eight league appearances under his belt this season, fighting with Rob Elliot for a role in the starting XI before replacing the Republic of Ireland international as a result of the experienced shot-stopper's injury. However he was the firm first choice during Newcastle's title-winning campaign in the Championship last season, with 36 appearances across all competitions, meaning he knows what it takes to be successful in the league. His experience, with 140 second tier outings under his belt, would be the perfect competition for Thomas Christiansen's current first choice Felix Wiedwald, who himself has had his critics with some shaky displays this season. Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is said to be seeking out a new senior goalkeeper, which would likely mean either Elliot or Darlow's departure before the deadline, and Leeds should be looking to capitalise to secure the talents of a proven Championship shot stopper. In other Leeds United transfer news,

the club are in hot pursuit of a midfield goal machine

.