‘We’ll see’ - Leeds United manager opens up on admiration of Newcastle United star

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has praised Karl Darlow as the Newcastle United goalkeeper closes in on a move to Elland Road.

The long-serving stopper is said to be on the brink of ending his nine-year stay at St James Park after the Magpies reportedly agreed a fee of around £400,000 with the Championship club and a deal is believed to be imminent.

Darlow joined the Magpies in a joint-deal with current club captain Jamaal Lascelles in the summer of 2014 before returning to his old club on a season-long loan. After officially joining United during the following summer, Darlow went on to help the Magpies bounce back from relegation into the Championship at the first attempt and remained at the club as they stablised in the Premier League.

However, the 32-year-old has struggled to find regular game-time in recent seasons as the likes of Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope established themselves as first-choice goalkeepers at St James Park. After making just one appearances during the first half of last season, Darlow joined Championship club Hull City on loan for the second half of the campaign and now looks set to earn a permanent move away as he prepared to undergo a medical at Leeds.

Ahead of the official confirmation of the move, Whites manager Farke told Leeds Live: “We’ll see. So, my philosophy is always to speak about business when it’s really done. For that, I have too much experience. It is done when all is agreed, all is signed, and medicals are done.

“What I can say is that we definitely need a support in the goalkeeper position because yeah, (Joel) Robles has left. So we are a bit thin on this position, especially in terms of experience. And yes, Karl Darlow is definitely a good goalkeeper.”