Lucas Perri: Leeds United Strike Deal in Principle for Brazilian Stopper
Lucas Perri is on the brink of a move to Elland Road, as Leeds United take a decisive step toward strengthening their goalkeeping ranks. Sources close to the club suggest a deal has been agreed “in principle” with French side Lyon for the Brazilian goalkeeper’s services.
The Whites, now back in the Premier League, have been busy this summer, bolstering nearly every area of the squad. But the goalkeeper situation has remained unresolved.
With Illan Meslier’s future hanging in the balance and Karl Darlow having stepped in during the Championship run-in, fans and pundits alike anticipated a shake-up between the posts.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development late last night via X, posting: “Leeds United have agreed deal in principle with OL for goalkeeper Lucas Perri. Medical tests were booked and formal steps to follow, as Fabrice Hawkins reported. Deal in place to join.”
Perri, 27, is no stranger to top-level European football. After a standout stint with Botafogo, he joined Lyon last year and quickly became a regular fixture, racking up 49 appearances, including several in the Europa League.
His agility and strong distribution have made him a standout performer in Ligue 1.
Though he had a short-lived loan spell at Crystal Palace in 2019, it failed to produce any first-team appearances. That chapter, however, seems firmly in the past. Leeds clearly believes in what he’s become, not who he was.
And it looks like the Yorkshire club isn’t finished yet. Perri would mark their seventh summer signing, following an aggressive recruitment push that’s already brought in Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Anton Stach, Sean Longstaff, and Lukas Nmecha.
While Meslier has been tipped for a move away, nothing is official yet. But Perri’s arrival would almost certainly trigger further movement.
There’s also ongoing chatter about potential attacking reinforcements, with Igor Paixão and Rodrigo Muniz still being monitored.
It’s been a whirlwind window at Elland Road. And it seems the whirlwind’s not quite done yet.
