A string of updates across 28 hours put one of Leeds United’s biggest summer decisions under the spotlight last week.At 2pm on July 9, Arsenal confirmed the signing of Illan Meslier. Three hours later, The Athletic revealed Karl Darlow was close to signing with Manchester United. Then, at 6pm on July 10, Leeds announced Alex Cairns’s new contract to 2028.Meslier was released on June 30 and was never going to be a factor next season. However, the sight of him in another club’s colours, followed in quick succession by Darlow and Cairns’s developments, underlined the need for a new stopper at Elland Road.The plan is to retain Cairns as the third-choice option, but Darlow’s now-confirmed decision to move to Old Trafford does alter the landscape somewhat. Leeds sources, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, acknowledge they could not offer the Wales international any guarantee of starts in 2026-27.Had Darlow accepted United’s offer and stayed on as a squad goalkeeper with the chance to compete for starts, the summer may have been more straightforward. The 35-year-old has been a backup option for much of his career and would not have rocked the boat if that scenario had played out again next term.A new goalkeeper would likely have been acquired, probably to start as No 1, but Darlow would have competed with them and looked to convince Daniel Farke, for the third season in a row, that he was his best option between the sticks.That scenario would have asked questions about Lucas Perri’s place. The 28-year-old arrived 12 months ago for £13.9million, plus £1.7m in add-ons, and was given the No 1 shirt. Perri came to be United’s starter and was given a four-year contract in line with that status.