Leeds United reportedly wanted to sign experienced Championship goalkeeper David Stockdale – but he’s joined League One Southend United instead.
If everything had gone to plan, David Stockdale would have been top of the Championship table with Leeds United heading into the international break. Instead, he has just joined the side sitting 16th in League One on an emergency loan deal.
The Yorkshire Evening Post claimed in June that Leeds had shown an interest in signing the 32-year-old from Birmingham City after he had been made available by former Elland Road boss Garry Monk.
Stockdale is an experienced and proven Championship goalkeeper, included in the 2017 Team of the Season after playing a major role in Brighton and Hove Albion’s promotion to the Premier League.
But, the YEP adds, Leeds and Stockdale failed to find an agreement due to a difference in wage demands. As a result, Marcelo Bielsa’s high-flying side continued to put their faith in Bailey Peacock-Farrell while signing Jamal Blackman on loan from Chelsea as a back-up.
And Stockdale has since tumbled down the Football League – albeit on a short-term basis.
According to the BBC, the former Fulham man has joined Southend United on a rolling seven-day contract after Shrimpers’ number one Mark Oxley was suspended for three games. Stockdale made his debut for the third tier side in Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to Peterborough United.
So you could hardly blame him if he was wondering what might have been.
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