Derby County’s pursuit of one of their summer targets has suffered a significant setback.
The club is gearing up for an active summer transfer window as they prepare for their return to the Championship. With the official opening of the transfer window on June 14th, Paul Warne and his team have less than a month to finalize their targets and begin working on securing their signings.
However, the transfer market is already in motion, and Stoke City seems to be making swift moves. Reports indicate that Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson is on the verge of a move to Stoke City. Stoke has reportedly triggered his release clause and Johansson is set to undergo a medical with them, despite interest from Derby County and other clubs.
This news will surely catch the attention of Warne and Derby County, especially as they face the prospect of losing goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith. They will need to act swiftly to secure their top choice goalkeeper for the upcoming season.
Derby County must now make acquiring Karl Darlow a priority.
There’s a notable influx of talented goalkeepers emerging in England, but many are affiliated with Premier League clubs. If Joe Wildsmith doesn’t extend his stay, Derby might need to consider a loan option or pursue a more experienced goalkeeper available at a reasonable cost.
Karl Darlow of Leeds United could be a viable option. Speculation suggests that Darlow might depart if Leeds secures another goalkeeper this summer, particularly if current number one Illan Meslier’s performances continue to receive mixed reviews.
Leeds’ advancement to the Championship playoff final, following a dominant victory over Norwich City, positions them to invest in a new goalkeeper upon promotion. This scenario could pave the way for Darlow’s potential departure from Leeds United.
Karl Darlow joining Derby County would be a significant signing for Paul Warne.
The Championship currently has many young and relatively inexperienced goalkeepers, leading to individual errors and conceded goals for several teams. Given that Derby might be facing a relegation battle next season, they cannot afford goalkeeping mistakes. Hence, Warne might be inclined to bring in a proven and experienced goalkeeper.
Darlow fits this profile perfectly, boasting 249 career appearances over his 14-year playing career. He has kept 72 clean sheets, including nine in the Premier League. His loan spell at Hull City during the 2022/23 season showcased his recent quality in the second tier, featuring 12 times and winning Player of the Month in March with five clean sheets.
Although Darlow has only made two appearances for Leeds in the 2023/24 season, Derby would need to sign him soon to get him match-fit. However, they may have to wait to learn Leeds’ fate in the playoffs before making any move.
With Viktor Johansson poised for Stoke City, Derby needs to swiftly secure a new number one for the upcoming season. Darlow could be the ideal candidate for this crucial position.
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