Manchester United are close to completing the signing of Karl Darlow on a free transfer, moving into the final stages of a deal for the 35-year-old after his Leeds United contract expired. The move would give United an experienced goalkeeper while they reshape the position for the season ahead.
United had already settled on Senne Lammens as their first-choice goalkeeper after signing him from Royal Antwerp in September 2025, but the club still want support behind him. Altay Bayindir is expected to leave, and Darlow is being lined up to help bridge the gap in a squad that will also need rotation options for the Champions League.
That is why Darlow has become such a strong fit. United wanted a goalkeeper with Premier League pedigree and homegrown status, and the Wales international checks both boxes. Last month, The Athletic reported that United were weighing up a move for him, while Everton also explored signing him. Sam Johnstone was another option, but he has two years left on his contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers, which made the shape of any deal less straightforward.
Darlow’s case is built on recent form as much as reputation. He dislodged summer signing Lucas Perri as Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper during the 2025-26 campaign, started every game from mid-January to the end of the season, and helped Leeds finish 14th and keep their Premier League status despite four defeats in that 17-match run. Daniel Farke said he wanted Perri taken out of the spotlight after he had not delivered what Leeds expected, then described Darlow as a very reliable, solid goalkeeper, who was fantastic for us last season.
The switch also explains why United are acting now. Darlow started Leeds’ seven matches in the run-in as they won the Championship title in 2024-25, and his consistency across that spell strengthened his case for another step up. He has made 38 appearances for Leeds since joining from Newcastle United in 2023 on a three-year deal, after nine years at Newcastle United and 111 appearances for Nottingham Forest earlier in his career.
United’s goalkeeping group has been in motion for months. Andre Onana spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Trabzonspor and has agreed another loan there, Bayindir did not start over Lammens once the Belgian was installed, and Tom Heaton has signed a new one-year contract to provide significant training support. Dermot Mee also signed a new two-year contract last week, while Radek Vitek, who was named Bristol City’s player of the year after an excellent loan, is expected to leave on loan or permanently to get regular minutes.
The remaining questions are practical rather than strategic. United have made their choice in Lammens, but they still need to decide whether Darlow is mainly cover for him or a rotation option in Champions League matches. If the final details are cleared, the move will add an experienced, available goalkeeper at the exact point United need one most.
