Good Morning. It's Tuesday 30th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Have Leeds lost interest in Ljubicic Speculation of Dejan Ljubicic joining West Yorkshire's finest anytime soon have dampened, after FC Koln's Managing Director Christian Keller told press he is confident the Austrian International will remain at the club, despite having less than twelve months remaining on his contract. Leeds have already had a bid of £3.4m knocked back, which prompted Technical Director Gretar Steinsson to fly off to Germany last Friday, to try and get a deal sealed; so why has it gone so quiet all of a sudden! Have Leeds lost interest in Ljubicic? please log in to view this image Sara speculation continues to gather pace If Leeds have all of a sudden lost interest in Ljubicic, it is likely to be because they have someone better in the sights! Recent speculation linking Gabriel Sara with a move to Elland Road is gathering pace by the day. The Brazilian ace had been strongly linked with a move to Europa League winners Atalanta, but sources close to the player suggest he wants to stay in England! Leeds would certainly be an upgrade on Norwich City, but there are obviously several top flight clubs also keeping close tabs on the 26yo. The only way Leeds would sign Sara, is if they were to lose the services of either Crysencio Summerville or Wilfred Gnonto. Sara has two years left on his Carrow Road deal, and would want at-least £15m for him. Whilst raising that capital wouldn't be a problem, it would have a serious effect on their profit and sustainability. please log in to view this image Leeds face battle with Crystal Palace over Torunarigha signature Leeds United face a battle with Crystal Palace over the signature of Gent full-back Jordan Torunarigha. The 26yo defender has been on Leeds shopping list for a while, but now that they have trimmed their squad down, are keen to strengthen their squad. It has been rumoured that Daniel Farke plans to play three at the back next season (or at-least wants the option to do so), so even with the inclusion of Max Wober, Leeds won't be taking any chances this season. Torunarigha came through the Germany youth ranks, before switching his allegiance to Nigeria last year. He has made 67 appearances for the Belgium outfit netting four times, since joining from Hertha Berlin in 2022. With less than 12 months left on his contract, a knock down price of around £4m has been banded about - which is well within Leeds spending power. please log in to view this image
Good morning Any competition for transfer signings with a Prem club will be very difficult, specially when it’s an established Prem club like Palace .. going against Ipswich, Saints or Leics will be the only ones where there’s a chance Squad looking pretty strong already, and there are some very talented U23s who are capable of filling in this season without disrupting the team .. Debayo can play across the back, quick & strong, capped at Eng youth level .. Luca Thomas is a powerful forward who isn’t afraid to scrap with defenders .. Crew is going to captain Wales one day .. Chambers will be a Scots international, class player .. there are a few more who can easily be on the bench and contribute when needed Farke is doing a great job, he’s developed a tight group who look ready to fight for each other .. my concern is more with selling players .. we can’t afford to lose the likes of Summerville and Willy, they are two of the best players in the Championship and vital for a promotion push .. Leeds must hold onto their quality players now, send a message to the division .. it’s going to be a tough season, Burnley & Blunts will be in the mix and it may well be another mental season Leeds need to start fast, open a gap and stay there .. can’t get involved in another battle, so Willy & Cree become key pieces of the puzzle
The problem is that FARKE cannot say that Summerville and Gnonto will be here and stories emerging about Wober and Aaronson both wanted abroad, but can these clubs afford them. Lots of clubs kicking tyres, but maybe getting to the stage when the club say we are not allowing anyone else to leave as nobody is offering the money we want. Statement needed about Wober and Aaronson wanting to be here and not going anywhere. Until we get an indication from the club we will all be worried abot losing players at the death and ot having time to replace them. All for keeping things quiet but ………
Bit pointless though Doc. Last year Wober was staying as captain while the pilot was warming the engines on the ‘plane to Germany and do you remember the euphoria building with the video of Sinisterra leaving Thorpe Arch, smiling and chatting with fans telling them he wasn’t going anywhere hours before threatening to sue the club and forcing through his move (might be interesting to have a delve back on here to revisit that). If the club make bold statements that don’t work out, they are just setting themselves up for ridicule. I’m all for the loose lips sink ship’s approach personally
We seem to have genuine interest for a few players but you feel they are replacements in case anyone leaves. Watching Joseph preseason is like having a new striker, Aaronson and Wober were not here last season so they’re a bonus. I think central midfield and LB will be the two we might see coming in, even then we might have to wait for loans, that’s unless we sell Gnonto or Summervile
Sara clearly someone we want if we lose Gnoto or Summerville. P&S won’t be a problem because it’ll be 100% profit of 20-35m on Gnoto or Summerville and then 15m spread over a four or five year contract.
Sporting Lisbon have just done a deal with Coventry to reduce the 15% sell on fee for Gyokores to 10% so have paid them €1m (£850,000) which gives them cash now to use. Lisbon are hoping to get £70m for the player and Arsenal will be the club to pay it. Which could get Coventry another £5m which could have been £7.5m but a gamble. First time heard of this paying cash to reduce sell on %, but good biz
