The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 12th June)

Good Morning. It's Thursday 12th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Betis closing in an another cut-price Leeds deal

Spanish outlet Diario De Sevilla are reporting that Real Betis are closing in on a cut-price £6.75 million deal for Mateo Joseph. The proposed deal also includes a 20% sell-on clause. This comes just months after Leeds rejected a £10 million bid from the Seville-based club for the 21-year-old in January, choosing to retain the promising forward.

This potential transfer raises serious questions about the nature of the relationship between the two clubs. Is Real Betis exerting some kind of influence over Leeds United's transfer dealings? This wouldn't be the first instance of Betis acquiring players from Leeds for what appears to be below market value.

In recent times, Betis have successfully poached Marc Roca and Diego Llorente from Elland Road, for fees that didn't reflect their true worth. The potential acquisition of Mateo Joseph for just £6.75 million, after rejecting a higher bid just months ago, adds further confusion to the proposed deal.

The question remains: what leverage do the Europa Conference League finalists have over Leeds United? Are there pre-existing agreements, personal connections, or financial pressures that are influencing these transfer decisions?

The situation warrants closer examination. Leeds United fans will understandably be concerned if their club is being exploited in the transfer market. Selling promising young players like Mateo Joseph for significantly less than their market value could hinder the club's long-term ambitions.

please log in to view this image

Leeds transfer round up

Leeds United are confident in signing Slovenian International centre-back Jaka Bijol, and continue to monitor Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff and Strasbourg's Habib Diarra. Talks with Udinese are focused on a transfer for Bijol valued between €15-18 million (£12.7-15.2m). He would provide a significant boost to Leeds' defensive options with his experience and physicality.

However, securing Habib Diarra from Strasbourg seems less certain. Despite submitting a bid of €26 million (£22m), confidence at Elland Road is waning regarding the success of this transfer. The reasons behind the uncertainty remain undisclosed, but it suggests potential complications in agreeing personal terms or facing competition from other clubs.

In midfield, Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff has emerged as a target. Despite Newcastle triggering a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until June 2026, Leeds believe Longstaff is an attainable target this summer.

The 27-year-old's playing time at Newcastle diminished last season, with only eight league starts and less than 800 Premier League minutes in 2024-25. This reduced role could make him open to a move in search of consistent first-team football.

Longstaff’s Premier League experience is a key factor driving Leeds' interest. Having accumulated 171 appearances in the top flight over the past seven years, he possesses valuable knowledge and understanding of the league's demands.

Beyond Bijol and Longstaff, The Athletic has reported interest in Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz. However, of all the publicly known targets, negotiations are most advanced with Udinese for Jaka Bijol, signaling the defender as a priority signing.

It is strongly rumoured that Leeds would not stand in Pascal Struijk's way if he wanted to move away from Elland Road this summer.

please log in to view this image

 

Morning all

I would happily swap Struijk for Bijol but with Wober leaving we will still need another CB

Solomon if we can get him is another I am hoping for

Longstaff to replace Rothwell and Kyle Walker-Peters as RB competition and it's one free transfer in as we lose Firpo on a free.

Looking at that, it is a fair amount of activity but we are still down on positions compared to last season

I'm hoping we can move on the likes of Joseph, Bamford, Meslier, Greenwood, Gyabi and Joffy too

 

Rumours that Chris Wilder has left Sheffield Utd

 

Could be Farkes replacement around November

 

Good morning everyone.

 

Morning all. Is it June 1st yet? Apart from Free transfers I cannot see us getting anyone in before then... I am concerned though that a lot of the players we are linked with have NO Premiership league experience. Am I missing something? Surely that is what we need to give us a slight chance of staying up?

 

Hello mate. It’s the 12th June, you may need to recalibrate your Time Machine

 

He means 1st June 2026. We may have made our first signing by then.

 

Oops.. you all know I mean July! Hahah

 

@Eireleeds1 you’ve logged into the wrong account

 

Thomas Frank goes to Spurs.

Brentford could struggle without him.

 

Firpo has signed for Betis

 

Ampadu kinda gave that away on the open top bus