Leeds United find themselves in a challenging position as they pursue Royal Union Saint-Gilloise goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. The story was first reported by Sky Sports journalist Ben Heckner. However, the 26-year-old Dutch goalkeeper has already made his intentions clear, favoring a move to Ipswich Town instead of Elland Road.
Voetbal International journalist Joost Blaauwhof stated that the chances of Leeds United securing his signature are slim. Blaauwhof added that Scherpen is not even aware of Leeds’ interest and is instead focused on Ipswich Town. Brighton retains a 40% sell-on clause from his departure, and Scherpen’s asking price is set at around €10 million, equivalent to roughly £8.5 million. Ipswich already has personal terms arranged.
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Leeds United face an uphill battle as their top goalkeeping target Kjell Scherpen makes his preference crystal clear
The pressure is mounting at Elland Road. With Karl Darlow departing for Manchester United on a free transfer, Illan Meslier signing with Arsenal, and manager Daniel Farke losing faith in Lucas Perri, Scherpen is just the latest name on a growing list of goalkeeping targets. Unfortunately, no significant progress has been made in securing a new goalkeeper.
Scherpen’s 2025/26 season at Union Saint-Gilloise was quite impressive. He made 40 appearances across all competitions and achieved eight clean sheets in the Belgian Pro League. He also played a key role in the club’s triumph in the Belgian Cup.
His performance has been commendable as Saint-Gilloise now prepares for Champions League football. His average FotMob rating for the Belgian Pro League season was 7.16, which is strong for a goalkeeper. Standing at 6ft 9in, he possesses a physical presence that commands respect in the box, effectively dealing with crosses and near-post shots.
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However, questions linger. Scherpen spent four years at Brighton and made just one senior appearance, spending a lengthy period on the bench. Even though Brighton was not exactly overflowing with elite goalkeepers during that time, his loan spells at Vitesse and Sturm Graz proved beneficial, where he clinched two Austrian Bundesliga titles. Nonetheless, the Belgian Pro League presents a different challenge compared to the Premier League, representing a significant step up.
T4O take: Is this a realistic Leeds United pursuit, or a distraction?
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – MAY 14: Kjell Scherpen of Union Saint-Gilloise looks on during warmups ahead of the Coupe de Belgique Final match between Union Saint-Gilloise and RSC Anderlecht at Stade Roi Baudouin on May 14, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
For Ipswich, who have just secured promotion and are approaching their transfers with caution, Scherpen fits their profile. He is ambitious yet still unproven at the top level, reasonably priced, and young enough to develop further.
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For Leeds United, the situation is different. Farke needs a goalkeeper who can assert control in a promotion-focused environment. Reports indicate that Scherpen is not even aware of Leeds’ interest, making the pursuit a possible misallocation of resources. The £8.5 million investment could be better spent on a more realistic target who shows genuine interest in joining the club. It may be time for Leeds to swiftly reconsider their options and focus on candidates who actively want to be part of the team.