Leeds United are still waiting to find out if they will have Karl Darlow in their squad for the 2026/27 campaign after his contract with the club expired earlier this month.
The Wales international became a free agent last week and is free to explore his options amid interest from other Premier League clubs, but the Whites are in talks to keep him at Elland Road.
Regardless of what happens with him, Leeds need to be in the market for a new goalkeeper because Darlow is 35 and Daniel Farke will be looking for long-term security in that key position.
That's why the West Yorkshire outfit are pursuing a deal to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki as their long-term number one in the summer transfer window.
The Whites have submitted a £26m bid to sign the Japanese international from the Italian side, but face competition from Serie A giants Juventus.
The World Cup goalkeeper wants to go to Leeds United
Suzuki, who entered the round of 32 with Japan in the World Cup before being eliminated by Brazil, is not the only goalkeeper in the headlines in this team.
In fact, the West Yorkshire side are eyeing another shot-stopper who could sign far better than the £26m-rated stopper ahead of next season.
According to Football Insider, Leeds United are looking to sign Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Zetterstrom in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Rams shot-stopper is keen on the idea of a move to Elland Road to play in the Premier League, after playing in the Championship last season.
It adds that the Swedish player, who played in the World Cup this summer, is in the final year of his contract at Pride Park and is determined to test himself at the highest level.
Football Insider reports that Derby are awaiting offers from both Leeds and Eintracht Frankfurt, but it remains to be seen how much they will want for their goalkeeper.
Why Leeds should sign Jacob Zetterstrom over Zion Suzuki
Zetterstrom and Suzuki have now been established as two goaltending targets on Farke's radar this summer, and they may have a decision to make on which one they would like to sign.
Based on how they have performed both at club and international level over the past nine months or so, the Derby County stopper could be the best option for the Whites.
Both of these players played in the World Cup and in the rounds of 32, Sweden and Japan separately, but it was the Swedish star who produced the highest level of performance between the sticks.
|
2026 World Cup |
Zetterstrom |
Suzuki |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearance |
2 |
4 |
|
Saving done |
11 |
12 |
|
Saves per game |
5.5 |
3 |
|
Terms are blocked |
+1.1 |
-0.2 |
|
Accurate long passes per game |
5.0 |
4.5 |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
100% |
80% |
The 27-year-old giant blocked 1.1 more goals than expected in the games against France and Japan's Suzuki, and one ended up less than the Japanese star by half as many games.
In the 1-1 draw between Japan and Sweden, Zetterstrom blocked 0.27 of his goals, while Suzuki blocked 0.16 of his goals.
The Swedish goalkeeper also attracted attention with the way he played in Derby in the second division of English football last season, as he prevented 5.48 goals in 32 games in this division, keeping seven clean sheets.
Suzuki, on the other hand, has scored 1.36 more goals than expected based on xG against his goal in 20 games in Serie A, indicating that he has underperformed as a striker in Italy's top flight.
Their separate team and state statistics suggest that Zetterstrom will be the most effective stopper for Leeds because he has consistently shown that he can protect his defense at a high level that he is not expected to do.
Suzuki, however, did not do well in Parma and Japan with his rescue efforts, which is why he will not be able to work well between the sticks in the Premier League for the Whites.
That is why the club should now pursue Zetterstrom, who wants to sign for Farke's club, instead of continuing to compete with Juventus for the Japanese goalkeeper this summer.
