Garry Monk has told David Stockdale that he is free to leave the club this summer as he looks to rebuild his struggling Birmingham side. Stockdale, one of the best goalkeepers in the league is just one year into a three-year-deal at Birmingham after his move last summer.
Stockdale left Brighton and Hove Albion on a free transfer last summer after deciding that he didn’t want to sign a fresh deal with newly promoted Brighton. Stockdale was linked heavily with Leeds and the player’s agent received contact but the wages were too steep, Stockdale is believed to have signed a deal with wages of over £35k per week at Birmingham City, Leeds current wage structure has a high of £15k per week but that is set to rise this summer as Andrea Radrizzani scraps the cap and raises it if we can get the players in we want. The two players who are at the top of the list would command wages much higher than £15k per week, Abel Hernandez and Kyle Bartley both prime summer targets for the club who believe there is a chance of signing Hernandez, and are in a good position to secure a deal for Bartley.
Stockdale isn’t worth wages like he is currently on, no goalkeeper is at this level but one thing going in Leeds United’s favour is that he is a big Leeds United fan. He isn’t shy about it and there is little doubt that Leeds United would appeal to him massively. At 32 he may consider a deal that reduces his wages significantly if it means he gets to play for the club he supports, and maybe a good promotion and clean sheet bonus could add some icing to a deal should Leeds consider it. Leeds current number one Baily Peacock-Farrell has just had international recognition, receiving a call-up to the Northern Ireland squad and he has made a great case to stay as the Leeds number one next season. Leeds are expected to sell Felix Wiedwald and replace him with a more experienced keeper.
