Leeds United Eye Shock Move For 26-year-old World Cup Star: Right Move After Trafford?

Leeds United Eye Shock Move For 26-year-old World Cup Star: Right Move After Trafford? Leeds United have made the first concrete move for Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill after submitting an official offer to San Lorenzo, according to Paraguayan journalist Carlín Correa on Ñanduti’s La Gran Jugada, relayed by Sport Witness . Interest from England has surrounded the 26-year-old for weeks, yet Leeds have become the first club to replace enquiries with an actual bid. Leeds United become first club to make formal move Manchester United, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town all tracked Gill earlier in the summer, although none reached the negotiation stage. Leeds have now forced San Lorenzo into a decision. The transfer fee has not surfaced, leaving uncertainty over whether Daniel Farke’s side activated Gill’s €6.9 million (£5.9 million) release clause or opened talks below that figure. Their interest follows expected changes in the goalkeeping department. Lucas Perri is close to joining Torino, while James Trafford has already arrived as Leeds’ new first-choice goalkeeper after a £45 million deal. Gill would therefore arrive as genuine competition rather than an automatic starter. His domestic numbers explain the growing demand. During the 2025/26 campaign, Gill made 18 Argentine Primera División appearances and featured six times in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana. Across 61 senior club appearances, he has recorded 30 clean sheets. T4O take: Leeds United would add serious competition without overspending PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 04: Orlando Gill #12 of Paraguay reacts as he controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) Leeds United deserve credit for this approach if the deal stays around €7-8 million. After investing heavily in Trafford, committing another huge fee for a reserve goalkeeper would make little football or financial sense. Gill offers something different. He carries fresh confidence after a breakthrough World Cup and still arrives at a manageable price. Five starts for Paraguay transformed his standing. Two clean sheets followed. He denied Germany twice from the penalty spot in the Round of 32 before earning a place in FIFA’s Team of the Tournament. His display against France showed composure that many experienced international goalkeepers struggle to produce. Leeds United must accept one obvious weakness Gill’s physical presence stands out immediately. With his height, he dominates crosses, covers huge areas inside the penalty box and reacts brilliantly in crowded situations. Trafford would face genuine pressure every week, which often improves standards across a squad. There is, however, one flaw that Leeds cannot ignore. Gill completed only 54 of his 137 passes during the 2026 World Cup, finishing with a passing accuracy of 39% and misplacing 82 long balls. That record raises valid questions because Premier League sides expect goalkeepers to launch attacks as well as stop them. His shot-stopping looks ready for England. His distribution still doesn’t.