First Leeds United summer signing 'decided' as Daniel Farke solves problem position

View 3 Images

Daniel Farke faces a mammoth task in transforming Leeds into an established Premier League outfit this summer, having guided the club to a 14th-place finish on their top-flight return . And one position has proven a persistent headache: the goalkeeping berth at Elland Road.

Leeds must spend shrewdly when it comes to recruiting a new goalkeeper. The signing of Lucas Perri in July 2025 has failed to pay off, with veteran Karl Darlow handed the gloves after the Brazilian's performances took a dramatic nosedive.

Illan Meslier has spent much of his time out in the cold, with the Frenchman dropped in favour of Darlow towards the tail end of the 2024/2025 season. Both are now poised to leave as free agents.

Dmytro Riznyk looks a fitting successor to Perri. The Ukrainian has been linked with a summer switch to Elland Road after catching the eye for Shakhtar Donetsk, the club he joined from Vorskla Poltava back in 2023.

The 27-year-old featured in 41 matches last season, keeping 22 clean sheets and playing a key role in helping Shakhtar clinch the Ukrainian league title by a commanding 12-point margin. Reports have emerged that he is on Leeds' radar, though the precise fee involved remains unclear at this stage.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

Following Shakhtar's Europa Conference League exit at the hands of Crystal Palace this season, the keeper hinted at what the future might hold, yet stopped short of confirming he would be leaving his home country.

"I've never been at this stage in my life before, in the semi-finals," he said. "I hope it won't be the last time. We will work to go further and win in the future."

View 3 Images

Perri was meant to be the long-term solution, not a £15.6m gamble. Leeds were fortunate that Darlow rose to the occasion once more with some outstanding displays.

Yet the club's pursuit of Perri demonstrates that Darlow wasn't considered good enough initially. Put simply, Riznyk would bring reliable experience and a winning mentality, having secured two Ukrainian titles and two domestic cups in recent years.

Admittedly, the likes of Manchester City's James Trafford, who could be available this summer , would represent an ideal target for Leeds. But any deal would probably be a loan arrangement rather than a permanent solution.

Nick Pope might well depart Newcastle United given he has 12 months remaining on his contract, though the England international also found himself benched this season. And despite transfer speculation, Leeds are understood to have no concrete interest in the 22-year-old World Cup-bound Czech keeper Lukas Hornicek of SC Braga.

Farke, when questioned about Darlow's contract at the end of April, suggested supporters could "read between the lines" after praising the 35-year-old.

View 3 Images

Whether he would accept a place on the bench behind Riznyk is yet to be determined. Farke was pressed on the matter after Darlow made an uncharacteristic blunder against Arsenal in January, dropping a hint that yet another goalkeeper could be heading through the doors at Elland Road.

He said: "Our board knows exactly my feelings about what I think we should do during this window. As I mentioned several times, I won't speak publicly too much about my opinions, because it makes the market just more difficult. And for that, sadly, I can't honestly answer the question.

"So of course, we're always looking to improve the squad and to bring quality players in, and especially in positions where we are perhaps a bit weaker. That's for sure."

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.