Good Morning. It's Thursday 18th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds may be forced to sell midfield dynamo in January Leeds could face a complicated financial dilemma heading into the winter transfer window, with reports suggesting Japanese international Ao Tanaka could be sold to navigate stringent Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Despite the club possessing ample funds, FFP constraints mean Leeds must generate capital through player sales to acquire a much-needed creative influence for Daniel Farke's squad. Tanaka, a pivotal 27-year-old midfielder, recently revealed his future at Elland Road was on a knife-edge over the summer, with a departure almost certain had Leeds failed to secure promotion. His impressive performances quickly established him as a key figure under Farke, alerting several clubs to his availability. Sources close to the club confirm that Celtic maintained a strong interest, having pursued the midfielder even before his move to Leeds in 2024. Premier League outfits Bournemouth and Brentford also kept tabs on the Japanese international, ready to make a move, had the Whites not won promotion. Now, despite his undeniable impact, Tanaka's future is once again a topic of intense speculation. A winter sale of the sought-after midfielder, while a tough decision given his on-field contributions, might be a necessary strategic move to ensure FFP compliance and facilitate the acquisition of a creative spark essential for the team's ambitions. please log in to view this image Will a point at Wolves be enough As Leeds United prepare for their weekend trip to Molineux, the fixture presents a fascinating dilemma. On paper, it’s a golden opportunity. They face a disjointed Wolves side, pointless after four games and looking utterly toothless without their talismanic striker, Yorgen Strand Larssen. With Vítor Pereira's team struggling to create, managing just 11 shots on target all season, the home side appears there for the taking. However, Leeds' own attacking frailties, which have yielded only one goal from a league-low eight shots on target, suggest a low-scoring affair is almost inevitable. The game reeks of a gritty stalemate. So, would a draw be enough? After leaving Craven Cottage empty-handed last weekend, securing a point on the road would stop the rot and reward a defence and midfield that have looked accomplished, the mauling at Arsenal aside. Yet, failing to beat the league’s most out-of-form team would feel like a significant missed opportunity. For a club with aspirations of pushing forward, these are the fixtures that must be converted into three points. While a draw wouldn't be a disaster, it would raise questions about where exactly their points will come from this season. This match is less about the single point and more about the statement of intent; settling for a draw against a wounded opponent is not be the sign of progress the fans will be demanding. On paper at least, Leeds won't have an easier opportunity for 3 points on the road this season. please log in to view this image
Morning all. Good old ffp or psp, you gotta love it. Designed to keep the plebs of football firmly in their place. Celtic interested? That would generate max 15m as that's all they spend so what sort of attacker would that buy, Would they even have two legs ffs. As for Wolves, it's a must win game in my books. If we can't beat the worst teams in the division, who are we going to beat
Psp,psr,piss off, ....just change our name too Leeds utd/city and bingo rack up charges against us and virtually ignore them ...wolves are pointless and no doubt we'll make sure they don't remain that way
Morning all We got the transfer exits all wrong, not our fault nobody wanted the likes of Meslier but I am sure expected (received) transfer fee's were included in the budget. It does highlight a severe lack of experience for those in charge of transfers January is way too far ahead, who knows what position we will be in, if we will have Farke, who might shine and who is frozen out Stach, Ampadu and Longstaff must be the first three, is it an expensive luxury having Gruev and Tanaka, at the same time, one injury and you only have one on the bench I would not be surprised to see Struijk sold in January
Most on here, at least the realistic ones. predicted what our for sale crew were worth. But then we are fans all our lives. Can't beat experience
We've had some decent youngsters, but instead of sending them out to grow, we prefer to let them rot on the bench. After one season away, Cresswell (as predicted my me) is now worth £20m. Can anyone explain to me why Sam Chambers has not been sent out on loan?????
We've already had 2 midfielders out with injuries at the same time, I think the balance/number is about right... especially if we're playing 433. Just rumours but you hear that the club have reservations about Tanaka's physicality for the prem... he also seems a sensitive (or maybe just very honest/open) lad for a pro footballer. Although he's a fan favourite and i get why, you could see why they my think he's 'expendable'. I also always thought it was most likely to be Struijk that would be sold if we had to.
I can’t believe the rumours about Tanaka going to Celtic, they missed out on CL football so doubt they could afford to match premier league wages assuming they can raise the transfer fee. Morning all by-the-way.
A huge signing for Celtic would be 10m and wages of 25 to 30k. Not a chance in hell his agent would allow that. Question remains of course would anyone be willing to pay more. Remember we always grossly over value players as fans
I'd not lose any sleep over Tanaka and Struijk being sold for decent money, hopefully it would mean someone else coming in. I'd like to see Aaronson and Jack sold too but can't see it happening
Tanaka would be a big loss. Think we’d get money for Gnoto so wouldn’t mind if we got rid for 20-30m. We then have James & Harrison as back ups, could get a new RW in and Okafor as starters. Aaronson back up 10 once we’ve got another 10 in too.
Problem with Gnonto is that reported 30 to 40% sell on clause. Bores a huge hole in the 15 or 20m we might get
Tanaka is only a big loss if we play him. Be interesting if/when all fit who DF picks as first choice midfield. I don’t see AO starting much away from home. Maybe home games in ‘winnable’ fixtures.
Im sure we all love the lads who got us up but at some point they will have to move on. Lads like Struijk, Gnonto, Tanaka, Gruev and even Bogle would command high fees currently and huge profits. That allows us to sign players who are of better ability (pending recruitment)
On Facebook, someone asked a question Q) What is the most overrated tool brand Tons of answers from fans of one brand or another putting down another, DeWalt haters, Milwaukee haters, then the best answer with a few hundred likes. A) Starmer because his dad made him
