Should Leeds consider loaning Peacock-Farrell out if Darlow joins?

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds United have been linked with a move for Karl Darlow this summer, and that may leave question marks over Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s role.

According to a recent report from the Chronicle, Leeds United are considering a summer move to sign Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who could cost the Whites around £2 million following the Magpies’ acquisition of Martin Dubravka.

Darlow played a crucial role in helping Newcastle secure promotion out of the Championship, so he would certainly be expecting to be Leeds’ number one if he did move to Elland Road this summer. And that would obviously leave a question mark lingering over what role Bailey Peacock-Farrell is going to play next season.

Peacock-Farrell was superb when he got a run in the first-team at the back-end of this past campaign. No player was arguably more impressive from during Paul Heckingbottom’s tenure, and there would be some fans who would be more than entitled to argue that a demotion would be unfair on the academy graduate.

It does appear to still be a gamble to go into next season with Peacock-Farrell as number one. He was extremely impressive, but is perhaps still not quite ready to be the first-choice for a side striving to put themselves in the promotion race.

But if Darlow arrives, would it be worth considering looking to loan Peacock-Farrell out for a season?

Andy Lonergan’s form when he got a chance this past season suggests that it would be a potential risk to have him as Darlow’s understudy, but Leeds perhaps need to consider what may be the best move for Peacock-Farrell and his development.

A season or two sitting on the bench while he is still looking to learn may not be the best move for the Northern Ireland stopper, so sanctioning a temporary move to another Championship side, a top League One outfit or perhaps a team in Scotland may be worth considering, even if it would perhaps weaken the club’s options in the short-term.

It would be a gamble, but Lonergan, if called upon, obviously can be a lot better than the goalkeeper that was dropped for Felix Wiedwald – his performance in the League Cup win over Burnley and a couple of his first starts in the Championship were extremely impressive – and that should perhaps tempt the club to consider letting Peacock-Farrell leave temporarily if they sign a stopper who is clearly going to take the number one spot.