Leeds United are reportedly keen on Chelsea goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.
Leeds United’s hopes of signing Angus Gunn on loan from Manchester City ended on Tuesday when he penned a permanent deal with Southampton – and that may leave the Whites to focus on Jamal Blackman.
Signing a new goalkeeper has been a key priority for Leeds this summer, with both Felix Wiedwald and Andrew Lonergan offloaded after disappointing seasons, and Bailey Peacock-Farrell needing competition.
Gunn is off the wish list and a deal for Birmingham City’s David Stockdale appears unlikely, and the Yorkshire Evening Post report that the priority is now to land Chelsea’s Jamal Blackman.
Blackman, 24, spent last season on loan at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United, but the 6ft 6in stopper is now a top target for Leeds, and a move to Elland Road seems to be the most likely outcome for him now.
According to a report from Alan Nixon in The Sun on Sunday (01/07; page 59), Blackman flew out to the Netherlands to hold talks with Chelsea’s feeder club Vitesse Arnhem about a loan move, but that option appears to be off the table for Blackman.
Chelsea confirmed just days ago that Blackman’s teammate and veteran goalkeeper Eduardo has been sent on loan to Vitesse instead, with Blackman now surely set to stay in England.
With Sheffield United signing Dean Henderson instead and Leeds’ other options falling through, the stars appear to be aligning for Blackman to make a move to West Yorkshire this summer.
There may yet be a twist in the tale, but with Vitesse seen as Leeds’ main rivals for Blackman, Eduardo’s move may just mean that Blackman joins up with Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
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