Leeds United are heading into the second half of the season in fairly good condition. Daniel Farke’s aspect are top of the Championship table, three factors away from Burnley and Sheffield United, and are undefeated in seven video games.
To make sure they will sustain that kind between now and the summer time and seal a return to the Premier League, the Whites are reportedly on the brink of raid the switch market in January, and have been linked with a number of large names.
Amongst them is Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi and RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who can also be considered attracting curiosity from Manchester Metropolis, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
To fund strikes for these gamers, Leeds should elevate some cash by promoting a few of their present crop. With that in thoughts, we now have listed six gamers who may depart Elland Street this month.
1
Joe Gelhardt
Linked with: Rangers, Portsmouth, Stoke
Since becoming a member of Leeds in 2020 from Wigan Athletic, Joe Gelhardt has struggled for minutes at Elland Street because the years have passed by.
After a decent 22 appearances throughout his debut season at senior degree, he made 19 the following yr as he was shipped on mortgage to Sunderland.
In 2023/24, after Leeds had been relegated again to the Championship, he then made solely 13 appearances, whereas this time period, he has not even managed 90 minutes.
Amid that ever-growing lack of recreation time, Gelhardt was being extensively linked with a transfer away from Leeds earlier than Christmas, with a number of clubs across Europe reportedly keen on acquiring his services.
In response to The Yorkshire Night Submit, Rangers, Portsmouth, Stoke Metropolis, Plymouth Argyle, Preston North Finish and two Belgian golf equipment had been keen on shifting for Gelhardt, and that the winger himself is open to the concept of calling time on his profession at Elland Street.
2
Patrick Bamford
Linked with: Genoa, Wrexham
It was only some years in the past that Patrick Bamford was setting the Premier League alight, scoring 17 targets to assist Leeds to a powerful ninth-placed end in 2020/21. Lately, the 31-year-old is fortunate if he will get known as off the bench.
Bamford hasn’t began a Championship recreation all season for Leeds and has managed simply 123 minutes off the bench, that means most of the time, he is left watching the motion from the sidelines.
In response to TEAMtalk, Genoa and Wrexham are ready to supply Bamford an escape route out of Elland Street in January, with the 2 groups keeping track of his scenario. Soccer Insider had beforehand reported in October that Bamford is also keen on leaving.
3
Pascal Struijk
Linked with: Tottenham
Again in July, Tottenham Hotspur prised away one in all Leeds’ star gamers from final season within the type of Archie Grey, with a £30 million fee just too good to refuse. And based on experiences in late December, Spurs are planning to swoop for another of Leeds’ star players in Pascal Struijk.
Switch professional Graeme Bailey stated: “Struijk is coming into his prime and has actually been beneath the radar to lots of people – not Leeds followers – however he’s very a lot on the radar of plenty of Premier League golf equipment. He’s actual high quality and I’m instructed Tottenham are amongst those that have checked on him.”
Nonetheless, Bailey added that Leeds don’t wish to lose the 25-year-old, who has began all however one in all their 25 Championship video games this season, and are prepared to offer him a new contract.
“Clearly, Leeds need him to remain and can look to tie him all the way down to a brand new deal, however him staying long-term can be dictated by Leeds getting again to the Premier League.”
4
Illan Meslier
Linked with: Arsenal, Man Utd
In response to a current report within the final couple of weeks from TEAMtalk, Manchester United have revived their interest in Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
The Frenchman was a earlier goal for the Purple Devils earlier than they determined to signal Andre Onana from Inter in summer time 2023.
Arsenal are additionally considered keen on doubtlessly making the goalkeeper their No 2, with Mikel Arteta considered pleased with David Raya’s function within the Gunners squad.
United’s No 2, Altay Bayindir, who additionally joined the membership in the summertime of 2023 alongside Onana from Fenerbahce, has struggled when known as upon this time period, and based on switch professional Fabrizio Romano, he could be sold in January.
It is easy to see why United would possibly need Meslier. This season, he is stored 14 clear sheets in 25 Championship video games.
5
Maximilian Wober
Linked with: RB Salzburg
Maximilian Wober joined Leeds from RB Salzburg for £11m in January 2023, however was shipped to German aspect Borussia Monchengladbach barely six months later. Since his return to Elland Street in the summertime, he is discovered recreation time tough to come back by, making only one Championship begin all time period – primarily on account of damage.
In response to Austrian newspaper Kurier, as relayed by Sport Witness, Salzburg at the moment are keen to take him back to the Red Bull Arena this month.
Salzburg director Rouven Schroder addressed the potential of signing Wober (and Feyenoord’s Gernot Trauner) again in January, saying: “They’re two excellent gamers. We’ve a younger crew, so skilled gamers are in fact thrilling. However a number of factors must be proper, and we’ll look at transfers fastidiously.”
6
Junior Firpo
Linked with: Actual Betis
Junior Firpo’s Leeds future seems to depend on whether or not they get promoted to the Premier League on the finish of the season, based on Soccer Insider, achieve this, and he’ll keep, however fail, and he’s anticipated to go away.
Now within the last six months of his deal at Elland Street, Firpo, previously of Barcelona, is free to speak to new golf equipment, and is reportedly a goal for Actual Betis, one other of his former golf equipment.
TEAMtalk has reported that with the 28-year-old full-back’s future at the moment “unsolved”, Betis are “main the chase” for his signature. Ought to he re-join Betis, he can be reunited with two of his former Leeds teammates, with Marc Roca and Diego Llorente each turning out for the La Liga aspect.
