Leeds reportedly looking for deal with Birmingham City for David Stockdale

The rumours surrounding Leeds United and a new keeper to replace the departed Felix Wiedwald keep swirling around the club. Despite recent links to Manchester City’s Angus Gunn and former Hull City keeper Boaz Myhill, who is now a free agent, the name that keeps being brought up has been Birmingham City keeper David Stockdale.

Stockdale grew up a Leeds fan and for a long time his return to the club has been seen as a way to bring him “home.” It now appears that Leeds have offered to take the former Brighton & Hove Albion keeper on loan with a deal in place to make the deal permanent at the end of next season.

Stockdale appears to not be in the long-term plans of former Leeds manager Garry Monk at Birmingham, as he’s been told to train with the youth teams until a new destination has been found for him.

Leeds have wanted to get a new keeper on the books after Wiedwald departed for Eintracht Frankfurt. Andy Lonergan is also reportedly set to leave Elland Road after only a season in his second time at the club.

Stockdale is a veteran keeper and had helped Brighton achieve promotion in the 2016-17 season. He also appeared in the Premier League for Fulham. His contract was up at the end of the promotion season at Brighton and he surprised many people by rejecting a new contract to stay at the Amex Stadium, instead signing for Birmingham.

Stockdale started his career at York City and has appeared for seven other teams, including Leicester City, Hull City, Darlington, Ipswich Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Rotherham United. He would be a veteran, experienced presence for Leeds, although he would likely come in to start over Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who won Leeds Young Player of the Year. That’s not ideal for the young keeper, but perhaps there is a plan to all of these deals. Peacock-Farrell needs to play, but perhaps he would still get a chance to grab the starting spot for himself.