Leeds United first wanted Keiren Westwood in 2011 as Ken Bates told Kasper Schmeichel to leave

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Leeds United’s hunt for a new goalkeeper is bound to be one of the biggest stories of the winter at the West Yorkshire club. A broken leg suffered by previous second choice Jamal Blackman has left them short between the sticks. The club has confirmed they want a new stopper and the list of potential options has since been endless.

This morning, you can add Keiren Westwood to the list.

The Republic of Ireland international is apparently on his way to Leeds in January. That is according to the print edition of the Daily Mirror (11/12/2018; pg 53). The 34-year-old former Championship Goalkeeper of the Season has been frozen out by current Owls boss Jos Luhukay.

With the Yorkshire club needing to trim the wage bill, Leeds have a chance of picking him up for next to nothing.

It is, however, not the first time that Leeds have wanted Westwood. In fact, they were chasing him as far back as 2011.

It came amid the furore surrounding Kasper Schmeichel. The future Premier League winner claimed he was forced out of Leeds that summer, recently commenting on Ken Bates’ role in the exit.

“We’ve decided that we’re going to sign two new goalkeepers and Kasper will not be first choice.

“Now he has a decision to make. He either accepts that he’s out of the limelight for a year or he goes to Leicester or another club that comes in for him. We will be moving on.”

– Former Leeds chairman discusses Kasper Schmeichel in 2011

Simon Grayson was the Leeds manager at the time and, according to The Mirror, wanted to sign Westwood on a free transfer from Coventry City. Instead, Westwood signed on with Premier League Sunderland.

Since then Leeds have had to endure a steady stream of goalkeeping rotation with the likes of Andy Lonergan, Paddy Kenny, Marco Silvestri, Rob Green and Felix Wiedwald all between the sticks.

Westwood might have been the man to stick around as number one had Leeds got the deal done seven years ago.

Now, they have the chance to finally bring him in.