Good Morning. It's Tuesday 5th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Atalanta join race for Muniz The transfer window is heating up, and the race for Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz has taken a significant turn, with Serie A giants Atalanta entering the fray. This development comes as Ivan Jurić's side look for a replacement for Mateo Retegui, who joined Saudi side Al Qadsiah for a staggering £56 million. Atalanta, who impressively finished third in Serie A last season, can offer Muniz the allure of Champions League football – a significant draw that Leeds United cannot match. This fresh competition adds considerable pressure on Leeds, who, as the Paixao deal demonstrated, have learned that patience in the transfer market can be a risky gamble. With less than four weeks until the summer window slams shut and only Joel Piroe as their recognised forward, time is rapidly running out for the Elland Road club. Complicating matters further is Fulham's steadfast position. The Cottagers have made it clear they have "no intention" of letting Muniz leave this summer. Crucially, they also hold an option to extend his contract by a further year, effectively meaning he has two years remaining on his current deal. please log in to view this image Clearing the decks - Player roundup Promotion back to the Premier League isn't just about celebrating and planning for exciting new arrivals; it's also a time for ruthless decisions. This inevitably means identifying players who are now deemed surplus to requirements. Darko Gyabi: The unfulfilled promise The former Manchester City hotshot, acquired three years ago for £5 million as part of the Kalvin Phillips transfer saga, was once touted as a future midfield linchpin. However, the 21-year-old has never truly made significant inroads into the Leeds first team, spending last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle. His stint at Home Park offered glimpses of his potential – powerful running, athleticism, and occasional flashes of technical brilliance, but now back in the top flight, Gyabi finds himself pushed further down the pecking order. Championship outfits like Wrexham and Cardiff City are reportedly among a host of clubs showing interest. For Leeds, it’s about recouping a decent portion of their investment and freeing up wages, while for Gyabi, it’s a crucial opportunity to find a permanent home where he can finally kick-start his senior career. Joe Gelhardt: Seeking a fresh start Another young talent considering his options is Joe Gelhardt. The dynamic forward has often flickered with potential, particularly in his early Leeds days, but has struggled to nail down a consistent starting berth. His second-half of last season loan spell at Hull City offered him valuable game time, and that familiarity has seen the Tigers throw their hat into the ring once more. However, Gelhardt's potential departure could see him heading north of the border. Scottish heavyweights Rangers are reportedly in advanced talks with Leeds regarding a £3 million move. Such a fee would represent a decent return for a player who, despite his moments of brilliance, hasn't consistently delivered. Sam Greenwood: The dead-ball dilemma Dead-ball specialist Sam Greenwood is also widely expected to be on the move this summer. The 23-year-old has had loan spells at Middlesbrough and more recently Preston North End. While his set-piece delivery and long-range shooting ability are undeniable assets, neither Boro nor Preston opted to activate their £1.5 million purchase clauses, suggesting his overall impact wasn't quite enough to justify the outlay for them. Despite this, reports suggest interest from clubs like Middlesbrough (again) and Leicester City, with fees of £3 million to £4 million being touted. Given the prior reluctance to pay even £1.5 million, a more realistic valuation for Greenwood would likely be closer to £1 million. Mateo Joseph: The wantaway wonderkid One of the more contentious figures potentially leaving Elland Road is Mateo Joseph. The "wantaway" striker has shown immaturity, refusing to join Leeds United's training camp in Germany, a clear signal of his desire to move on. In truth, a loan move should have happened last season; at 21, he looked somewhat out of his depth in the Championship and desperately needs consistent first-team football in a less demanding environment. With three years left on his contract, Leeds hold a strong negotiating position, but his recent actions could complicate matters. Spanish side Real Betis have reportedly agreed personal terms with Joseph, but are unwilling to meet Leeds’ ambitious £12 million valuation. Ilia Gruev: A midfield mismatch? Ilia Gruev has enjoyed a decent pre-season, showcasing his defensive midfield capabilities and tidy passing. However, securing an Elland Road future for the 25-year-old Bulgarian looks increasingly difficult, especially considering the significant midfield reinforcements at ER this summer. While it's easy to suggest "stick him on the bench," that's not exactly a constructive approach for a player who needs to be playing regularly at this stage of his career, nor is it optimal squad management for a Premier League side. Patrick Bamford: High-Earning and regularly injured Perhaps the toughest player to offload will be Patrick Bamford. Despite loose transfer talk linking him to moves to Birmingham City, Middlesbrough, and even Wrexham, his astronomical £90,000 per week wages combined with an injury list that could rival the length of ‘War and Peace’ make him a challenging proposition for potential suitors. The soon-to-be 32-year-old's fitness issues have severely limited his availability and impact in recent seasons. It’s a harsh reality, but Bamford will likely see out his days in the reserves at Leeds, unless a lower league club willing to take a significant gamble on his fitness and subsidise a portion of his wages comes forward. Largie Ramazani: Unfancied talent Largie Ramazani's situation is peculiar. Despite flashes of brilliance on the pitch, the former Manchester United apprentice doesn’t appear to be fancied by Daniel Farke. His future at Elland Road seems contingent on whether Leeds bring in a marquee left-winger this summer. If such a signing materialises, Ramazani could find himself surplus to requirements. Leeds would likely jump at an opportunity to recoup what they paid for the Belgian star, allowing him to seek a fresh challenge where he feels more valued. Illan Meslier: Time for a clean slate Illan Meslier’s days at Elland Road are almost certainly numbered following the arrival of Lukas Perri. The former French Under-21 international, once seen as a long-term solution, has endured a challenging period, with consistent errors creeping into his game. He desperately needs a fresh start away from the intense scrutiny of Elland Road. With just twelve months left on his contract, Leeds face a dilemma: sell him now or risk losing him for free next summer. The club may need to give the 25-year-old a ‘gentle prod’ in the direction of the exit door to ensure they receive a transfer fee. He has been linked with moves to Besiktas and Leicester City, but as yet, no official offers have materialised. Isaac Schmidt: Versatile but not fancied Just like Largie Ramazani, Swiss International Isaac Schmidt just isn't fancied by Daniel Farke. He did himself no favours against Villareal at the weekend, offering nothing more than a half-hearted performance. Once Leeds bring in a utility back-up, the 25yo is likely to complete a season loan at Werder Bremen. Jack Harrison: No way back From crowd favourite to being universally detested, surely there's no way back for Jack Harrison. The 28yo has three more years left on his contract, and a £90,000 per week salary. What lengths will the club go to, to rid the club of this leech? please log in to view this image
Morning all We really could do with two new faces in before our last friendly, give them a cameo appearance at least and a full week under their belts before Everton. I’m pleased we have a Monday night fixture, an extra 48hrs to get everyone a bit more bedded in. Hard to believe two weeks today we’ll be posting on a breakfast debate reflecting on our first game of the season I’ve got to say, I’m disappointed that with under two weeks left we’ve only filled 2/5 key positions and it feels we’ve chased a 10 or AM for three years or more now Keeper -Y LB - Y AM/10 - N LW - N Striker- N To be honest, a covering full back was more important than two new towering CBs Bamford, Joseph, Gelhardt all finished, replaced with a free signing whose injury record is poor, he’s a gamble. As it stands, entering a new season with two strikers, it’s poor
Morning all, Agree with Ristac. We knew well in advance of last season ending that promotion had been secured and yet here we are with less than two weeks before the season starts and the squad is far from complete. Even our new keeper was signed with a pre-existing injury ffs. Not looking good tbh.
Morning all. I regularly trot out the line that it takes ten games before you can really assess a new signing. Piroe a great example, he's still improving. Whoever signs from now likely wont be showing their best from till late October, might even struggle to force their way into the team. That's a worry as well have plenty go games played. Suspect the club is finding it far more difficult to get signings over the line than expected. Its no longer big enough of an attraction to just be in the palm you need to be a top ten side to attract the really exciting talentt
Not trying to jinx it but imagine if Piroe picked up an injury in Dublin. Wed be nearly back to playing Dan James as a striker
As long as we tell Betis to **** off, Joseph can go wherever he likes. Him and his agent are deluded if they think he’s ready for the premier league after last season’s showing.
True, the reality is that most of the teams perceived as the prem strugglers are having difficulty recruiting, including West Ham (33 year old striker with an injury record similar to Bamford on a pay-as-you-play deal), Everton, Fulham etc. Only Sunderland has bucked the trend but they’ve bought expensive gambles.
Hull Live understands talks are well advanced with Leeds to get a season-long loan deal completed this week, which would be another huge boost to Sergej Jakirovic ahead of the new season kicking off at Coventry City on Saturday. It's believed Gelhardt's salary doubled immediately following United's promotion to the top flight, owing to a clause in his Elland Road contract, but common ground has been found to facilitate the move. Heard last week there was nothing in the Gelhardt to Rangers story, these high wages because of promotion is probably the reason were havitrouble shifting players out. Only Leeds, well Orta to be precise
I have liked our sensible approach but if Sunderland had done the same and with the difference between the two squads last season, they would have been sitting ducks and worse than Southampton They had to do something different and strike fast and that's what they have done. I am very happy with Stach, but I have to say, I can't see how the other signings were top shelf. If we had managed to get an alternative for each it would have been a shrug of the shoulders okay, they don't look anything special, no better than those Sunderland brought in It's the same as the last two windows, we seem to wait for the right one that chooses to go elsewhere and we are left with a last minute lunge for someone. I've been pretty patient and on the side of the board and those responsible for bringing players in, but for me, we have just stepped over the line of unacceptable progress
Moving players out who are on a big wage is a real problem and why nobody has really gone yet. Pleased to hear Joffy has done a compromise deal with the club so he can get out of the door and the Hull fans love him, so good luck to him. Bamford, Meslier and Harrison are going to be real problems to shift. On the transfer front yes it’s been slow, dire and frustrating. Good example is the BEK deal with Leicester as we offered to pay the buy out, so why are we fooking around make the offer and tell them take it or leave it and go elsewhere? We have fiddled whilst Rome burnt, and I accept we are trying to manage the cash due to PSR problems but we have had so many names mentioned and watched some of them go elsewhere…… we do need at least one marquee statement signing and the longer it goes on…..
What I've heard about the Hull deal "Apparently Hull can’t do buy clauses, under their restrictions they can’t offer any future fees or pay loan fees and we will be on hook for half+ of his wages. If true that’s crazy as other clubs would take him."
I read they have a cap too on what wage they can pay but have seen 2 different figures so not sure what's what with that
Surely not, what does he do between the window closing and January 1st when it reopens. It beggars belief if true
