Could Steve Bruce finally work with Karl Darlow at Leeds?

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Leeds United have been linked with Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce and reportedly want Karl Darlow from Newcastle United, too.

Just a few days after the Daily Star claimed Leeds United were considering Steve Bruce, the Championship giants have been linked with a man who the Geordie gaffer was hoping to bring to Aston Villa last season. But is this a coincidence or something more?

A new goalkeeper is a must for Leeds this summer and the Chronicle believes that they are interested in Newcastle United stopper Karl Darlow. It is understood that the 27-year-old, who has slipped down the pecking order under Rafa Benitez, could be available for around £2 million.

And, interestingly, the Sun stated back in November that Aston Villa manager Bruce was monitoring Darlow and had identified him as a potential replacement for Sam Johnstone, should his side prove unable to sign the Manchester United loanee on a permanent transfer.

Darlow was terrific for Newcastle during the 2016/17 season when they won the Championship title, producing some virtuoso performances as the Magpies’ form dropped somewhat at around the mid-way point of the season and ensuring that dip did not become a crisis.

So Darlow would obviously be an upgrade on the ageing Andy Lonergan and the error-ridden Felix Wiedwald.

And Leeds’ reported interest in the former Nottingham Forest glovesman is even more intriguing when you consider that Bruce is being linked with a switch to Elland Road, too?

Are Leeds targeting players with the Aston Villa boss in mind?