Perri's Leeds nightmare: Brazilian goalkeeper faces uncertain future after landing on Premier League's worst signings list

Lucas Perri's debut campaign at Leeds United has been nothing short of a disaster, and now the Brazilian stopper finds himself immortalised on an unflattering list that few footballers want to grace.

The 27-year-old arrived from Lyon last summer for an initial £13.9m, with performance-related add-ons potentially pushing the total investment to £15.9m over his four-year contract. The deal included a sweetener for the Ligue 1 club: an extra £500,000 annually for each season Leeds maintain top-flight status.

On paper, it looked a shrewd recruitment move. In reality, it's become a cautionary tale.

Perri began the campaign as first choice but lost his grip on the number one shirt by late December, with Karl Darlow proving a far more dependable proposition. The Brazilian has since been relegated to cup duty, appearing in just 16 Premier League matches before Farke wielded the axe.

His predicament has been compounded by recent media scrutiny. The Daily Mail's Nathan Salt ranked Perri 11th on their list of the season's 20 worst Premier League signings, a brutal assessment that captures the disappointment surrounding what was meant to be the solution to Leeds' longstanding goalkeeping headaches.

Salt's verdict was damning: "Despite starting the campaign as No. 1, Daniel Farke axed Perri midway through the season in favour of Karl Darlow, and Perri has had to play second fiddle ever since, making do with cup games in 2026."

To make matters worse, Darlow's performances have been exemplary. The 35-year-old's distribution and shot-stopping have provided Leeds with the stability required for their survival push—qualities in which Perri has shown considerable deficiency.

Cup competitions have offered Perri occasional redemption. He earned Man of the Match honours in the FA Cup fourth-round victory at Birmingham and produced heroics from the penalty spot during the quarter-final triumph at West Ham. Yet these fleeting moments haven't been enough to convince Farke of his long-term viability.

Transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher revealed in February that Farke remains unconvinced and intends to prioritise signing a top-tier replacement this summer. James Trafford, the Manchester City prospect, represents the club's primary target, though attracting a player of his calibre looks increasingly unlikely.

The goalkeeper situation presents Farke with a genuine headache. Darlow's contract expires imminently, making him available on a free transfer—and Tottenham have already registered interest. The club must now navigate a complex equation: retain Darlow with fresh terms, ship Perri out and recruit a new number one, or attempt some other permutation.

What complicates matters further is whether Darlow would accept a bench role should Leeds move him on. His performances have earned him a case for regular football, not a supporting act.

Should Leeds pursue the sale of Perri, they face accepting a substantial loss on their investment—a rare misstep for the 49ers Enterprises ownership group, which has generally demonstrated sound judgment in the transfer market.

The summer window will prove pivotal in determining whether this chapter can be salvaged or whether Leeds accept defeat and move on.