Leeds should monitor Southampton reports after Angus Gunn interest

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds United wanted to sign Angus Gunn in the summer, and go into January needing to sign a new goalkeeper.

It has been reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post this week that Leeds are eyeing a January move for Karl Darlow as Marcelo Bielsa looks to address the goalkeeper situation at Elland Road.

The Whites needed a new stopper in the summer and the problem is back on the agenda after Jamal Blackman’s loan was cut short due to injury.

Darlow would be an excellent signing. But given that he has spent much of this season as Martin Dubravka’s understudy, the Whites must surely prepare for their approaches to be snubbed by the Magpies.

One player that Bielsa reportedly wanted before Blackman arrived at Elland Road was Angus Gunn. The Yorkshire Evening Post reported in the summer that Leeds were in the race to sign the then-Manchester City goalkeeper on loan for the season.

The Whites would ultimately miss out as Gunn completed a £13.5 million permanent move to Southampton, according to BBC Sport.

But despite the outlay, Gunn is still awaiting his chance to establish himself as the Saints’ number one, with Alex McCarthy remaining first-choice. The 22-year-old’s three appearances for the club have all come in the Carabao Cup.

Southampton obviously signed Gunn as the player that would eventually succeed McCarthy. But perhaps the latest reports concerning the Saints should tempt Leeds to keep an eye on January movement at St Mary’s in case it changes the plans for Gunn this season.

The Daily Mail has suggested that the Saints are keen on signing Marcus Bettinelli from Fulham as they brace themselves for interest in McCarthy. They apparently view the 26-year-old as a potential replacement.

It seems highly unlikely that they will sanction a move for McCarthy unless they have Bettinelli through the door, so perhaps there could be a situation where Gunn temporarily finds himself as third choice.

And if that ends up being the case, then Leeds must seriously consider making a fresh approach to take Gunn on loan. Like Darlow, he knows the Championship well and he is clearly a player that Bielsa is a fan of having already attempted to sign him for the Whites.

And if Southampton do end up with McCarthy and Bettinelli in the ranks, then they would surely jump at the chance to give Gunn some game-time elsewhere.