Leeds United make £13m goalkeeper a priority after new developments, Roy Hodgson said he’s very good
Leeds United’s search for a new goalkeeper continues as we approach July, with Leeds reeling from their disappointment in pursuit of Strasbourg captain Habib Diarra.
Diarra is about to complete a move to Sunderland in a deal that will see the newly-promoted Black Cats pay a whopping £30m to sign the Senegal star. Leeds are said to have made two bids to land Diarra.
The hunt for a midfielder goes on, then, as does a new shot-stopper. All three options between the sticks are out of contract in 2026, with Illan Meslier expected to leave. Turkish and French clubs are linked.
Even if Meslier remains, Leeds need a new goalkeeper after Daniel Farke dropped him towards the end of last season. Plenty of goalkeepers have already been linked and now, there is a new name on the list.
Leeds United make Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri a priority transfer
Having missed out Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford and possibly Nick Pope, with Pope happy to remain at Newcastle even if James Trafford signs, Leeds need to find themselves a goalkeeper to sign this summer.
Lyon meanwhile, have been relegated to France’s second tier after a ruling from the DNGC, France’s football finance committee. The French giants are set to host a firesale of players to solve their issues.
French newspaper L’Equipe say Leeds are looking to take advantage and sign Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri in a £12.8m deal. However, newly-promoted Neom are also interested in landing the shot-stopper.
Perri, who once spent a season on loan at Crystal Palace, is keen on a move to Neom. The Saudi side have already signed Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, and boast Said Benrahma – who recently left Lyon.
What Roy Hodgson recently said about Lucas Perri
During the 2018-19 season, Perri went on loan to Crystal Palace in his early twenties. But the 27-year-old failed to play a single game in all competitions before joining Lyon from Botafogo in January 2024.
But Perri impressed Roy Hodgson during the loan, with former Liverpool and England boss Hodgson in charge during Perri’s loan. He praised Perri while the duo worked together at Selhurst Park back in 2018.
“He’s been very, very good, but the fact is it’s not going to be a moment where I would look past (Wayne) Hennessey and (Julian) Speroni to give him a game,” Hodgson told the South London press, as per HITC.
Perri’s career has since progressed from that failed Palace stint after a stunning 2024-25 campaign in which he clocked up 13 clean sheets in 45 games, and was even called-up to the senior Brazil squad.
Patrick Vieira’s feelings on Habib Diarra prove Leeds United dodged a bullet after £30m Sunderland move
There will be frustration from Leeds United’s point of view after missing out on the signing of Habib Diarra.
The Strasbourg midfielder is set to sign for Sunderland this summer after it looked all but certain he would become a Leeds player.
Outlets even went as far as to suggest that Diarra’s move to Leeds was ‘imminent’, but this clearly wasn’t the case.
Instead, Regis Le Bris’ side are set to land the box-to-box midfielder who heavily impressed for Senegal vs England, as Diarra is set to join for £30m.
Daniel Farke and the 49ers will have to look elsewhere, but what Patrick Vieira felt about Diarra might prove Leeds have actually got away with one.
Patrick Vieira’s feelings on former Leeds United target Habib Diarra
The 21-year-old will embark on a new chapter in the Premier League, which he thoroughly deserves after his performances for Strasbourg.
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