Marcelo Bielsa insisted on running with a somewhat lean squad when taking the reins at Leeds United. As injuries have hit, that squad has been forever stretched and pulled.
As the squad is pulled to its seeming limits, United supporters are increasingly looking to the January transfer market to add some extra bodies and support to the side.
One of the areas most sparse with experienced cover is one that stands outside Bielsa’s insistence that players be comfortable in a dual capacity – the position of goalkeeper.
Currently, that position is held by Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Yet, below his #1 status, the stopper situation is somewhat dire. Back-up to Peacock-Farrell is England Under-20 keeper Will Huffer; below him, it’s into the Under-23 stock.
The Whites have been looking at domestic keepers, names like Karl Darlow (Newcastle) and Kieren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday) once featuring. Latest reports on the domestic front indicate renewed ‘interest’ in Southampton stopper Fraser Foster.
However, the big news is that Leeds United are set to land an even more impressive target in Real Madrid’s Kiko Casilla. That was news broached initially by Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay after Leeds had put out the fires of Derby County’s challenge on Friday last.
Casilla was pictured leaving Madrid Barajas airport late yesterday, sparking a mini-hysteria of Whites fans and flight tracking. Things have moved on since then, with Hay this morning adding extra information that Casilla is set to have a medical this afternoon.
On this news, Hay elaborates saying: “United agreed a deal in principle for 32-year-old Casilla ahead of Friday’s 2-0 win over Derby County and are aiming to complete the signing before the end of this week. He is scheduled to begin his medical this afternoon.”
That alone is welcome news as the Whites look to expand the playing resources that they have. What’s more, it is an incoming keeper of some class and prestige – a coup if you will. Here’s how some Leeds United fans have responded over on Twitter.
Leeds United fans respond to news of Casilla deal creeping closer
Real Madrid. Selling club.
— kev roy (@kev_roy) January 16, 2019
Silvestri v Norwich tho 😍
— Mike Prebble (@Prebbl) January 16, 2019
That’d be such an EFL thing to do, too.
— Richard Gott💙💛 (@RichardPGott) January 16, 2019
Said on the YEP Podcast that we will look to get Casilla over the line first and then start working on James.
— Marc Baulk (@MarcBaulk) January 16, 2019
Start him!
— Vivek (@Vivek28893815) January 16, 2019
Start him!
— Vivek (@Vivek28893815) January 16, 2019
