39-year-old English goalkeeper Ben Foster has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Leeds United this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, Leeds United are considering a summer move for Ben Foster, whose contract with Watford expires at the end of this month. The Whites are in the market for a goalkeeper to deputise their number one Illan Meslier and see Foster as one of the options.
Foster has a rich Premier League experience of almost 15 years, having played 390 matches in the competition. The 39-year-old has represented multiple clubs during the course of his career in English football, including the likes of Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Watford.
Foster made 26 Premier League appearances for the recently-relegated Watford last season and could be a solid option for Leeds to consider. He will bring a wealth of experience along with him and the ability to read the game in English top-flight.
Leeds struggled due to their number one Illan Meslier’s form towards the second half of the season and Kristoffer Klaesson was asked to cover up for the Frenchman. The Whites want to send Klaesson out on loan and will thus need a new deputy for the upcoming season.
Leeds have other areas to strengthen, and with Foster’s signing demanding no transfer fee, he could turn out to be a good catch. Arsenal and Aston Villa have also shown interest in the 39-year-old English shot-stopper. Leeds are also targeting Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir from Trabzonspor.
The Jesse Marsch-managed side narrowly avoided relegation last season and are now set to lose two of their best players. Kalvin Phillips is reportedly closing in on a move to Manchester City after snubbing Manchester United. The English midfielder has been one of their most consistent players since Leeds’s return to the Premier League and will leave a big hole to fill.
Meanwhile, Brazilian winger Raphinha is also closing in on an exit. He is currently the subject of a transfer battle between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, with the latter said to be the favourites to sign the 24-year-old.
With two key players set to leave, Leeds have a difficult task at hand to prepare themselves for the next season. Thus the upcoming summer transfer window holds a lot of importance for their future in the English top-flight.
