Daniel Farke answered many of his doubters last season by leading Leeds United to a comfortable 14th-place finish in their first campaign back in the Premier League.
The German coach is entering the final year of his current contract, but talks over a new long-term deal are expected to be wrapped up in the coming weeks.
Farke has already indicated that he wants Leeds to be more ambitious in the transfer market this summer. However, chairman Paraag Marathe has stressed the importance of balancing investment with financial responsibility as the club seeks to continue its progress while complying with Premier League regulations.
One area Farke is eager to strengthen is the goalkeeping department. The Leeds boss lost confidence in Lucas Perri during the second half of last season and is keen to recruit a new first-choice goalkeeper.
Lucas Perri could still remain at Elland Road
Leeds brought in Lucas Perri last summer in the hope that he would finally solve their long-standing goalkeeping issues, with the Brazilian expected to establish himself as the club’s undisputed number one.
However, a series of costly mistakes led to Farke dropping him midway through the season, allowing Karl Darlow to take over as first choice for the remainder of the campaign.
Darlow is widely expected to sign a new contract, and Leeds had been tipped to bring in another goalkeeper capable of replacing Perri as the club’s long-term number one.
According to The Athletic, though, the club’s hierarchy have yet to make a final decision on whether a new goalkeeper will be signed this summer.
At present, there is a growing possibility that Leeds could continue with Darlow and Perri as their senior goalkeeping options next season, provided the Welshman agrees fresh terms.
A new goalkeeper could still arrive later in the transfer window, but the club have not yet committed to pursuing one.
A compromise Farke was hoping to avoid
Perri’s performances last season raised serious doubts about his suitability as a Premier League first-choice goalkeeper.
While Darlow provided greater stability after taking over, he was not without flaws himself, with some of his weaknesses exposed during the final-day defeat to West Ham.
Farke’s preferred solution was to sign a new goalkeeper capable of immediately becoming Leeds’ number one, while Darlow remained a dependable backup option.
Instead, the manager may be forced to settle for a compromise if Darlow and Perri begin next season as Leeds’ goalkeepers. Perri is unlikely to be thrilled about remaining second choice, yet Darlow has done little to justify losing his place.
The arrival of a new goalkeeper would have eased the selection dilemma facing Farke, but current indications suggest the club’s hierarchy are not prioritising that position in this summer’s recruitment plans.
