Leeds United were closing in on their fifth signing of the summer after making a winning start to the new Premier League season, but need to shift one of their current players before the deal can proceed.
Daniel Farke‘s side travelled to the City Ground on Saturday and secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, with Anton Stach’s 88th-minute free-kick proving the difference between the two sides.
It was a brilliant start to life for several of Leeds’ new arrivals.
James Trafford marked his competitive debut with a clean sheet as Forest managed just two attempts on target, while Tarik Muharemovic was solid on the left of Farke’s back three and Harry Wilson was denied a debut goal after seeing an effort disallowed.
Nico Elvedi was another new face available to Farke, taking his place among the substitutes.
Leeds faced with sell-to-buy as deal stalls
Following the win over Forest, Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer was closing in on a move to Leeds. His representatives initially denied rumours last week that the 31-year-old was preparing to leave Frankfurt, but he missed training and travelled to Yorkshire for a medical over the weekend.
A €5m (£4.3m) fee was all but agreed, however news emerged on Monday morning that Zetterer is now back in training with Eintracht.
Sky Germany’s Zinny Boswell has now revealed on Monday afternoon that both clubs need to sort out their goalkeeping departments before the deal can proceed – meaning Leeds need to shift Lucas Perri before making anything official, while Frankfurt need to find a replacement.
Zetterer has developed a reputation as a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, something which could make him well suited to Farke’s demands, should a deal get over the line.
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Quality |
What Zetterer could bring Leeds |
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Experience |
At 31, he would provide an experienced alternative to Trafford. |
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Distribution |
Comfortable receiving possession and playing out from the back rather than simply clearing under pressure. |
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Composure |
Has been praised for remaining “calm under extreme pressure”, an important quality for a modern-day goalkeeper. |
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Bundesliga pedigree |
Has significant experience in Germany’s top flight and wouldn’t arrive as an untested youngster. |
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Competition |
Gives Farke another senior goalkeeper capable of stepping in if Trafford is unavailable or loses form. |
Former Werder Bremen boss Ole Warner hailed Zetterer as someone who “stays calm under extreme pressure”, with the goalkeeper willing to receive the ball even when opponents are pressing aggressively.
Of course, Zetterer may end up moving to Elland Road to serve as backup to Trafford.
Leeds invested heavily in the Englishman this summer and Saturday’s performance against Forest represented an encouraging start to his career at Elland Road.
Any move for Zetterer will of course mean the end of Perri’s time at the club. The Brazilian was on the bench against Forest but has been linked with a departure from Elland Road, and the German’s potential arrival will be as a direct replacement.
