The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 9th March) Transfer Deadline Day
Good Morning. It's Friday 30th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Transfer Deadline Day
All eyes at Elland Road will be on filling the No 10 role, and bringing in a left-back to provide cover and competition for Junior Firpo.
Isaac Schmidt is expected to fly in to LBA airport later today, after helping his FC St. Gallen side beat Trabzonspor in a Europa Conference League play-off game last night. He's a versatile player who can operate in a number of positions but has mostly seen as a left wing-back. He has an eye for goal, most notably signing off on his St Gallen tenure with a fine strike from the edge of the box last night.
We can expect at-least one loan move to materialise, including that of a striker. Should this happen, we could see Joe Gelhardt join either Portsmouth or Plymouth for the season. There were murmurs last night of Charlie Crew being lent out when Leeds complete the permanent deal of AO Tanaka.
Continuing with loans, if Borussia Mönchengladbach fail to land Max Wober, don't be surprised surprising if the Austrian were to spend another season away from Elland Road, albeit with a compulsory purchase clause inserted. If he stays, Leeds may consider sending James Debayo out to get first team football!
Gustavo Hamer is most people's first choice signing. It is believed that Roland Sallai is back up for Hamer, and Manuel Benson third choice in-case neither were to happen. There were strong rumours earlier in the week linking Max Arrons reuniting with a move to West Yorkshire. He's fallen out of favour at Bournemouth, and is likely to make a move somewhere today. Will Isaac Schmidt's arrival put pay to an Arrons-Farke reunion?
Dejan Ljubicic has been linked with Leeds all Summer. The Whites have had various bids knocked back by Koln, who have one eye on a return to the Bundesliga this season. They have a transfer embargo, which would mean they wouldn't be able to bring in a replacement until January. Because of this, a deal seems unlikely even though the he is in the final year of his contract!
We're not expecting any players to exit the club (apart from maybe Wober) although ongoing speculation continuous to link Wilfred Gnonto with a host of top flight clubs.
Piroe plus cash deal refuted
Leeds have refuted rumours of a cash plus swap deal involving Joel Piroe for Sheffield United's star midfielder Gustavo Hamer.
The Blades placed an £18m price tag on the Dutchman, shortly after rejecting Leeds opening £13m bid. Signing him would go a long way to filling the massive hole left by Georginio Rutter earlier this month.
Leeds have multiple players (Arronson, Gnonto, Rothwell and Piroe) that can occupy the No10 position; it's whether or not Daniel Farke (and more importantly the Leeds Utd board) see value in splashing out on a specialist. Multiple sources this morning suggest Sheffield Utd will now accept £15m - is it a gamble worth taking?
Do Leeds need a marquee signing?
A marquee signing at this stage of the window would give the Whites (and their long suffering fans) the shot in arm they need, and more importantly deserves. We may have lost over 50% of the squad from last season, and are undoubtedly weaker than this time last year, but have better 'strength in depth'.
Losing Gray, Summerville and Rutter have damaged Leeds chances of a top two finish, yet have talent throughout their squad that most clubs in the Championship can only dream of. Daniel Farke's use of substitutions must improve. Four wins from our final eleven games needs no translation. He now has his own players at his disposal.
Bringing Largie Ramazani to Elland Road for €11m (£9.25m) was good business, but considering our departures, it falls far short of fans expectations. What do Leeds need to do between now and 11pm tonight to make this transfer window a success?