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Leeds United are prepared to end their pursuit of Karl Darlow because of Newcastle United’s £4million valuation and look at other goalkeeping options.

Leeds identified Darlow as the experienced keeper they wanted to provide cover for Bailey Peacock-Farrell and he has made 170 appearances for Newcastle and former club Nottingham Forest.

However it is understood they are unwilling to meet Newcastle’s £4million asking price for Darlow and want a loan deal.

Newcastle are refusing to budge and boss Rafa Benitez wants the cash to boost his meagre January budget for transfers.

This has prompted Leeds to look elsewhere and they do not want to be held to ransom.

Leeds also want a replacement for Spanish midfielder Samuel Saiz and want to stretch their budget as far as possible.

The Championship leaders like Hoffenheim’s Steven Zuber and the Bundesliga outfit are willing to listen to offers for the versatile attacker, who has not been a regular this season.

However they are understood to value Zuber at around £10.8million, which would put the Swiss international out of Leeds’ reach.

Leeds are prepared to play a waiting game this month to see if Hoffenheim reduce their asking price or even let him leave on loan.

With no incomings on the horizon, the only transfers at Leeds have been departures and Conor Shaughnessy and Lewie Coyle have left.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Shaughnessy has joined Hearts on loan for the rest of the season.

Coyle has extended his loan spell at Fleetwood Town until the end of the season and the defender has spent the last 18 months at Highbury.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa is leaving director of football Victor Orta to negotiate all deals as he focuses on ending Leeds’ three-match losing run against Derby at Elland Road on Friday.

Leeds had reeled off seven successive wins before losing to Hull on December 29 and Bielsa does not want his players to dwell on their reverses.

“The game of next Friday is by itself very important,” he said. “I think the mental state will be more linked to the future than to the past.”