Leeds want to sign former Barcelona youngster who stunned Simeone

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If Leeds United fans want to hear more about reported target Dani Cardenas, here’s a short tale.

Levante’s 2-0 win at Atletico Madrid in February will be remembered for the sort of goal you only see once in a blue moon.

As Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak trotted upfield for a last-minute corner with his side losing 1-0, the ball broke and Jorge de Frutos’, the visitors’ quicksilver winger, broke away before slotting into the empty net from the halfway line.

But as Oblak held his head in his hands, it was his opposite number who would rival De Frutos for a place on the back page of Marca the next morning.

Eternal understudy Dani Cardenas had only played one La Liga game during the previous five months of the season.

But with usual first-choice keeper Aitor Fernandez relegated to the bench after a difficult spell between the sticks, the one-time Barcelona youngster seized his chance in spectacular style.

First, he got the faintest of fingertips to a thunderbolt free-kick from Luis Suarez, tipping the Uruguayan’s effort on to the post.

Then came a sprawling save at the feet of Joao Felix. The best of the lot, however, was a stunning reaction stop down to his right to deny Thomas Lemar as the ball flew through a crowded penalty area.

In total, Cardenas made ten saves in the game, ensuring Diego Simeone’s would-be champions suffered a first home defeat in more than a year.

Will Dani Cardenas take his superb shot-stopping skills to Leeds?

We can only imagine, then, how devastated Cardenas was when he learned he would return to Levante’s bench for the next game.

And, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting Leeds have identified Cardenas as one of three potential replacements for the departing Kiko Casilla, you’d think a man who stopped the Spanish kings in their tracks will have little choice but to consider his future with one year left on his contract.

If one of the greatest goalkeeping performances in recent La Liga history wasn’t enough to earn Cardenas a starting berth at Levante, surely difficult decisions have to be made?