According to reports in The Mirror, Leeds United are said to be targeting a move for Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper David Stockdale.

What’s the word, then?

Well, despite helping the club achieve their first-ever promotion to the Premier League this season, the 31-year-old’s contract with the Seagulls runs out at the end of the campaign and he has yet to be offered a new one.

That news is said to have alerted a number of clubs, including Leeds, Middlesbrough and even Chelsea, who were interested in bringing the stopper to Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window.

He is regarded as one of the best English goalkeepers and Garry Monk will face a fight to persuade him that a move to Elland Road is the right one.

Would he be number one at Leeds?

It’s difficult to say.

The Yorkshire outfit already have Rob Green between the sticks and having the former England international is certainly a coup for the Championship side, but Garry Monk may feel that Stockdale could be an upgrade, especially after being part of a Brighton defence that has conceded just 38 goals in 44 league matches on their way to promotion.

Wasn’t he born in Leeds, too?

Exactly right.

He is a Yorkshire boy but whether that would persuade him to make the move to Elland Road remains to be seen.

Stockdale will want to be playing Premier League football in an ideal world and Leeds look set to miss out on the play-off positions after a run of four defeats in their last six Championship matches left them three points adrift of sixth-placed Fulham with just two fixtures left.

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What’s the verdict, then?

Well, you would still expect Brighton to offer him a new deal after he has proved to be so influential this term but if they don’t, then Leeds will certainly be one of the frontrunners for his signature.