By admin 
Leeds United are likely to complete their second signing of the summer window “this week” when Karl Darlow’s transfer from Newcastle is finalized, according to Leeds Live.
The goalkeeper appeared to be on his way to Bournemouth until the Cherries agreed to sign Inter’s Andrei Radu on Tuesday [Fabrizio Romano, 25 July].
Darlow was then reported by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie the following day to be “close” to a move to Elland Road, with the 32-year-old expected to return to the UK from the Magpies’ US tour for a Whites medical.
Beren Cross of Leeds Live has provided an update on the timing for the deal’s completion, with everything now expected to be completed within days.
The former Hull City and Nottingham Forest loanee will join Ethan Ampadu as Daniel Farke’s only additions to the squad so far.
Cross writes on Wednesday morning: “Karl Darlow is expected to complete his transfer from Newcastle United this week, but Farke is well aware there is so much work still to be done with refining this squad.”
It is a definite positive that the work behind the scenes appears to have come up with the goods on Darlow despite what looked like being a lost cause amid the Bournemouth links.
The Newcastle back-up will be pencilled in as the starter for the Championship with Illan Meslier still thought likely to depart this summer.
There aren’t believed to have been any bids for the Frenchman so far however [The Athletic, 25 July], with his miserable end to the previous campaign potentially having depressed the transfer market for him.
While a late bid before the deadline would almost certainly see the Frenchman leave, the 23-year-old, who lost his spot for the final four games of last season to Joel Robles, might stay at Elland Road at least until January.
Farke would have an amazing duo of experienced keepers for a promotion drive, and the position would suddenly look like a strength.
However, Darlow’s arrival, providing it is finalized within the next few days, should put an end to the fear of Meslier being snatched up after the season has begun, allowing the manager and his team to focus on much-needed new additions elsewhere.