Good Morning. It's Monday 11th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds finish pre-season unbeaten The Whites concluded their 2025-26 pre-season preparations with a spirited 1-1 draw against Italian giants AC Milan in Dublin. This final friendly offered Daniel Farke's side a robust test before their season opener against Everton a week today! The spotlight firmly shone on Anton Stach, who delivered a superb individual performance for the Whites. The Germany international crowned his display with a gorgeous long-range strike, curling the ball into the far corner from around 25 yards out midway through the second half. He had already made his presence felt earlier in the first half by rattling the woodwork with another powerful effort. Milan had initially taken the lead through Santiago Gimenez in the first half. The Mexico international demonstrated clinical finishing, driving the ball into the roof of debutant Lucas Perri's net from the back post, following excellent work down the left flank by Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze. Despite Milan missing some of their top stars, the encounter was an even contest and proved to be an invaluable final test for Leeds. The Whites demonstrated their resilience and quality, more than holding their own against one of Europe's best teams, providing a confident boost ahead of their Premier League campaign. please log in to view this image A summer of smart spending, but key gaps remain The summer transfer window has seen the Leeds United recruitment team work tirelessly, bringing in seven new faces, shelling out £80m. With the season opener against Everton just a week away, there's a palpable sense of awkwardness around Elland Road. Messrs Underwood and Co deserve significant credit not only for the quality acquired, but also their conservative spending, but it will count for little if the remaining pieces of the jigsaw are not slotted into place. The stark reality is that key figures like Patrick Bamford, Mateo Joseph, and Joe Gelhardt will not be part of proceedings for the Whites this season. With only Lukas Nmecha brought in to bolster the front line so far, Leeds' attacking options look concerningly fragile. A valiant attempt to secure the services of Igor Paixao, has only increased expectation levels among the Elland Road faithful. Now, it seems, the Whites could miss out on another top target! Tottenham Hotspur appear to be muscling their way to the front of the queue for Bilal El Khannouss leaving Leeds fans visibly annoyed that another top talent is slipping through their fingers. Leeds have ample funds set aside funds for marquee signings, specifically, a proven goalscorer and a top left sided winger. Given Joseph's unexpected departure, Daniel Farke may be looking for a less expensive option up front in addition to any marquee signing Leeds may make, to boost options from the bench, hence the talks between Elland Road and the San Siro regarding Iranian international Mehdi Taremi. A versatile wing back is also on the shopping list, to act as back-up in-case of injuries to Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle. It's also important to put Leeds' spending into perspective when looking at their fellow promoted teams. While Sunderland and Burnley have spent £140 million and £125 million respectively, it’s crucial to remember that both clubs have also recouped approximately £35 million through player sales. Leeds, by comparison, are currently behind on this front, highlighting a need to balance incomings with outgoings where possible. While a significant amount of transfer business is often concluded in the final two weeks of the window, the clock is ticking. For Leeds, it is no longer merely a strategic objective but an absolute necessity to pull out all the stops. Securing the vital missing pieces over the coming fortnight or so could be the difference between staying up, or suffering the same fate as other sides promoted to the top flight, battling against the odds to keep their heads above water! please log in to view this image Solomon signing looking less likely Leeds United's patient wait for Manor Solomon appears increasingly likely to end in disappointment. The Israeli international, who was instrumental in Leeds' Championship title success last season, could now have a more prominent role at parent club Tottenham Hotspur, following a significant injury to James Maddison. Maddison, widely considered a key player for Spurs and new head coach Thomas Frank, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a pre-season clash with Newcastle United. This devastating blow is set to sideline the midfielder for the majority of the upcoming campaign, leaving a gaping hole in Spurs’ creative engine room. While Tottenham are expected to scour the transfer market for a direct replacement in the coming weeks, a potential solution might already be within their ranks. Manor Solomon, primarily deployed on the wings, possesses the versatility to operate effectively in a central attacking midfield position behind the striker. The 26-year-old was slated to impress Thomas Frank during pre-season with an eye on breaking into the first team. Now, with Maddison's absence, Solomon's pathway to regular football at Spurs seems significantly clearer. For Leeds, this development suggests that their long-term target indeed has "bigger plans" – plans that likely involve staying in North London. please log in to view this image
Spurs wont be using Solomon. He is available if we want him. Its whether Solomon wants to come. It would be worth exploring another season long loan to be honest leaving funds available for next summer.
Morning all. Have read lots of comments re Saturdays game and everyone who came had a ball it seems. Many calls for this to be made an annual event
I don't in anyway see Solomon being a Maddison replacement, where that will most likely impact us is they'll sign BEK as a replacement, they've been linked with him the last week as much as we have. Whispers are Levy as put a £30m price tag on Solomon which is why he's still there, they'll just wait it out until a day or 2 before the window closes and he'll go for a more realistic fee, if they don't have anyone bite,which is unlikely. It really is disappointing the club haven't bought in any fees for the out going players but non are signing for PL teams and few if any in the championship will afford a fee and match the wages we paid them,expect Greenwood will be next out for nowt.
BEK was MoM by all accounts and plenty of scouts looking at him. I expect him to go somewhere this week Palace waiting on Eze cash and Spurs May dive in but as Usual we seem to mess about for weeks instead of commiting Strikers on the agenda again with both Krstovic and Dovbyk in the news. We watched Dovbyk play against Everton and apparently he was playing a different game to his team mates as Gasperiniball doesn’t suit him. That’s why they want to sell after paying €38m for him only a year ago. He was brilliant for them last season but Gasperini is in charge now so they want €30m for him which seems a bargain to me. Think Krstovic is waiting for an Italian suitor but none materialising so far but again he’s up for sale at around €25m
On Solomon staying at Spurs, forget it as they are in negations with Man City for Savinho to replace Maddison and have bid £40m so far but City want £50m, but it looks like happening
That will be a great signing for them I'd say, he has a point to prove and wants his place in the England squad for the world cup. Harrison won't be going there now I'd say.
Italian sports media clarifying story on both Dovbyk and Krstovic. They are saying Leeds are chasing Dovbyk and Gasperini wants him gone because he has an agreement with Lecce to buy Krstovic. So who actually buys Dovbyk is anyone’s guess right now and if was Leeds they need to get a move on
So all the talk about these players not moving because of huge wages can be arranged. Grealish is on loan so Everton will have paid a loan fee and Grealish will have agreed to reduce his wage demands, even if Man City do pay some of it? That could have been Leeds and would have been a game changing signing
