Leeds United are weighing up a fresh move for Valerenga goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson as a potential replacement for Kiko Casilla.
Just a few days after announcing Kiko Casilla’s loan move to Elche CF, Leeds United have started their search for a potential replacement. And according to football journalist Ekrem Konur, they have set their sights on Kristoffer Klaesson.
The Valerenga goalkeeper has been on Leeds’ radar for quite some now, and it appears the club is now weighing up an offer of £1 million to secure his services in the summer. Klaesson’s current contract expires at the end of next season, so a move to Elland Road is pretty much on the cards.
A former member of the Strommen youth academy, the 20-year-old goalkeeper has raised many eyebrows with his performances at Valeranga. Despite his age, he has notched up 55 competitive appearances for the club, becoming the first-choice shot-stopper since the 2020 season.
Leeds United’s interest in Klaesson is hardly surprising as the Whites are in the market for a new goalkeeper. They have recently sanctioned the loan departure of Casilla, who has returned to Spain by joining Elche on a season-long loan deal.
Casilla’s current contract at Elland Road runs until 2023, so it appears unlikely that he will have any future in Yorkshire. As such, the club is now keen on securing the services of a proper goalkeeper who can compete with Illan Meslier for a place in the first team next season.
Reports this week have linked the Whites with a move for Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman. However, the Englishman is also courted by Arsenal and won’t be available for a cut-price, especially given his performances at Swansea last season.
But in Klaesson, Leeds United should find themselves a cost-effective option, who has already shown a lot of potential to become a quality goalkeeper at the highest level of football. It remains to be seen whether Valerenga do accept the £1 million proposal, but Norwegian talent is certainly a more sensible option given the financial climate in European football.
Not to mention, the Whites have other potential expenses in the market, especially in the midfield unit. They are reportedly rivalling Italian champions Inter Milan in the pursuit of Nahitan Nandez, so it will be interesting to see how things transpire at Elland Road over the coming months.
