Leeds plan centre-back move after Struijk sale
Leeds will push for a permanent sale of Isaac Schmidt after his Werder Bremen loan, with Young Boys and Basel keen, as the club trim the squad and consider exits for Piroe and Gnonto among others.
Brighton sign Pascal Struijk for about £15m. Graham Smyth says Leeds target centre-backs Lloyd Kelly and Ladislav Krejci, with confidence higher on Krejci after talks and his openness to move.
Brentford have agreed a £17m plus £3m add-ons deal to sign ex-Leeds loanee Jaidon Anthony from Burnley on a five-year contract after his 8-goal Premier League season.
Recap of Leeds’ record buys: Lee Sharpe for £4.5m, Tomas Brolin’s ill-fated move, and Georginio Rutter at £35m who later left for £40m after 6 goals and 15 assists in the Championship.
Young forward Harry Gray is completing final formalities for a loan to Sheffield Wednesday after a bright spell at Rotherham, with Leeds targeting regular minutes and a promotion push in League One.
Leeds aim to improve on 14th, with midfield competition fierce. A standout under Daniel Farke is valued above Shea Charles, hinting at limited chances for the signing to break into midfield.
Leeds urged to sign ex-Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin on a free to cover Gabriel Gudmundsson, adding natural left-footed depth after Pascal Struijk’s exit and Gudmundsson’s hamstring issues.
Leeds are reported to lead the race for Parma and Japan keeper Zion Suzuki. Juventus, missing out, could move for Spurs’ Guglielmo Vicario for £12.85m as Leeds’ advantage grows.
Leeds are set to announce free agent Harry Wilson on a four-year deal. The winger is likely to debut on the US tour against hometown club Wrexham after posting 11 goals and eight assists for Fulham.
With Willy Gnonto likely to be sold, Leeds are told to seek a Mayenda-like £20m-plus fee and insert a sell-on clause, mirroring deals such as Pascal Struijk’s to Brighton and Charlie Cresswell’s.
Chelsea are in fresh talks to sign Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, which could end their chase for Leeds’ Gabriel Gudmundsson and boost Daniel Farke’s chances of keeping the Swede at Elland Road.
