Leeds United pulled the plug on a deal for Birmingham City goalkeeper David Stockdale, journalist Phil Hay has revealed.
Throughout the summer transfer window, Leeds United were on lookout for a new number one, and settled on a loan move for Chelsea shot stopper Jamal Blackman, after he impressed on loan at Championship rivals Sheffield United in the 2017/18 season.
Marcelo Bielsa was also keen on a move for ‘keeper Angus Gunn, who was still at Manchester City at the time. However, the England youngster moved to Premier League side Southampton on a permanent basis instead.
“I go back to what happened in the summer,” Hay told the Inside Elland Road Podcast.
“Leeds were very, very keen on Angus Gunn before he went down to Southampton.
“They would have signed David Stockdale had Birmingham been more accommodating with the finances. They wanted him off the wage bill. There was never any secret Leeds were looking for a new number one over the summer.
“They felt Peacock-Farrell would be competitive or in contention, but there wasn’t the expectation at the start of the season that Peacock-Farrell would be the pick.”
Instead, Bielsa has opted to play academy graduate Bailey Peacock-Farrell, a decision that has backfired on occasions. In last Leeds’ embarrassing 4-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion, Peacock-Farrell let Matt Phillips’ long range effort past him, when he definitely should’ve kept the ball out.
United fans have been calling for loanee Jamal Blackman to be brought into the starting eleven ahead of Peacock-Farrell, but Bielsa’s defence of the youngster hints that the ‘keeper won’t be dropped yet.
