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Marcelo Bielsa’s plans to bring a new goalkeeper to Leeds United may not stop at Real Madrid’s Kiko Casilla, with the Daily Mail claiming Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez is still on the Whites’ radar.
What’s the word?
Bielsa made it no secret before Christmas that Bailey Peacock-Farrell had lost his support, but the 22-year-old had to remain in goal after Chelsea’s Jamal Blackman returned to London with a broken tibia.
Plans were then drawn up to strengthen the goalkeeper position at Elland Road, and recent links have tipped Real Madrid’s Casilla to move to England from the La Liga giants in this window.
The deal to bring the 32-year-old to Leeds looks to be progressing strongly, with Madrid claimed to be open to his departure given his number three status.
However, Bielsa is understood to seek further options in goal with Arsenal’s Martinez brought into the picture, and the player himself is keen on a move to the Championship after a severe lack of minutes with the Gunners – the Argentine has started just once at the Emirates so far this season, coming in a Europe League win over Qarabag.
Pl>ymaker FC’s Theo Ogden found two rebellious Leeds fans in the home end at Loftus Road in QPR’s 2-1 FA Cup win. Find out what happened next in the video below…
Who would be the better choice?
If Leeds can get Casilla to sign on the dotted line, it appears the Spaniard will be the priority signing and the Whites will make their final decision in the coming days.
The one-cap international would also be arriving on a permanent transfer, rather than on loan, ensuring his future can remain at Elland Road beyond the end of the season.
6ft 4in Martinez, on the other hand, may be desperate for first-team football and would certainly offer a high-quality option for Bielsa, but he would struggle to establish himself as the first-choice if Madrid’s product is brought in as well.
Should the deal for Casilla fall through, however, Leeds must jump at the chance of taking Martinez on loan as he would offer Bielsa a better goalie than who he currently has to call on, with Peacock-Farrell conceding 28 times in 26 games despite ten clean sheets.
Who would you take? Let us know in the poll below…
