How Leeds got caught up in the most bizarre transfer domino of the summer

Updated: 28 Aug 2026 15:54 BST | 5 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

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Leeds United are thought to be closing in on the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt shot-stopper Michael Zetterer, but it took them a while to get to this stage.

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The Elland Road club are revamping their goalkeeper department this summer. Illan Meslier has joined Arsenal - although he could already leave again - while Karl Darlow has controversially moved to rivals Man Utd, and Lucas Perri will link up with Torino after just one season in Yorkshire.

Current ETV

James Trafford

Leeds Utd

James Trafford

Leeds Utd

ETV Range

€23.9M - €29.2M

James Trafford has been signed for a whopping €46.7 million from Man City to serve as the club's new No.1, but a backup is still required. That is where Zetterer comes in. The German, if he joins, will be Trafford's deputy.

Daniel Farke has hinted that a deal for the shot-stopper could be imminent, with reports suggesting that he has been given permission by Frankfurt to join Leeds. "I'm very pleased with our window," Farke said. "But we will stay awake, because we would like to still try to add one more."

A bizarre goalkeeper saga

Leeds would ideally have liked to wrap this deal up much sooner, but the player was initially not keen on the move because he wants to be a No.1. However, money can be very persuasive - Zetterer's stance softened after receiving an improved offer.

Still, his initial response to Leeds' interest is quite telling. He had every right to reject a proposal for a backup role because he is a very good goalkeeper. After all, he was previously an option for Man City.

The problem Zetterer has faced is that he has been part of a huge misunderstanding at Frankfurt over the past year. Two seasons ago, young Brazilian goalkeeper Kaua Santos looked poised to supplant Kevin Trapp as Eintracht's starting goalkeeper.

Despite suffering a cruciate ligament tear in April 2025, the potential Santos had shown convinced Frankfurt to allow Trapp to join Paris FC, but they obviously needed a replacement.

Instead of bringing in a stopgap who would be happy to eventually drop to the bench, Frankfurt went big and signed Zetterer, who backed himself to win the battle against the young upstart after having been so impressive at Werder Bremen.

However, Santos' injury was not as bad as initially feared, and he was fit to play again by September. Zetterer hadn't done much wrong, but he was dropped for the 23-year-old, which naturally caused some unrest.

To make matters worse, Santos' performance levels were hardly comparable to what he had shown pre-injury. After committing several blunders, the Brazilian lost his place again. Zetterer was brought back into the team in late October and retained his spot until the winter break.

At that point, the confidence of both goalkeepers was shot, and Frankfurt were in full-on crisis mode, which culminated in the catastrophic appointment - and eventual sacking - of head coach Albert Riera.

Santos won his starting spot back in January, only to suffer another nasty injury in March. He did not play again that season despite being fit for Frankfurt's final three games.

Heading into the summer, Frankfurt had to make a decision. They would either have to bet on Santos' potential or back the more experienced Zetterer. The constant chopping and changing did neither goalkeeper any favours and bred instability.

It would have to be one or the other - or so it seemed. In the end, they chose neither because new coach Adi Hutter was unconvinced by both and requested that a new goalkeeper be signed.

This has now led to Frankfurt bringing in Freiburg shot-stopper Noah Atubolu, who has himself had an utterly bizarre summer. The 24-year-old developed into a good but not great Bundesliga goalkeeper at his hometown club in recent years and was convinced he could take the next step in his career this summer.

Atubolu, who had a year left on his deal, rejected a contract extension and pushed for an exit. Freiburg acted swiftly and signed Mio Backhaus from Bremen as a big-money replacement - but the illustrious Premier League suitors Atubolu was hoping for never materialised.

With just a few days left in the window, the German national team prospect was still stuck at Freiburg, who told him in no uncertain terms that he would not play this season. Ultimately, he had to settle for Frankfurt.

But agreeing a deal with the Eagles was far from straightforward because they didn't have the budget to sign him permanently this summer, while Bundesliga rules prevented a loan move. Players on an expiring contract can't be loaned out in Germany's top flight.

So, this strange saga became even more bizarre when Atubolu signed a new deal with Freiburg after all - only to then immediately be loaned to Frankfurt with a purchase option that can become an obligation if certain criteria are met.

With this deal wrapped up and announced, the path for Leeds to sign Zetterer is clear, but it's been a long and winding road to get to this point.