The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 9th July) - How long can Leeds wait on Muniz
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 9th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
How long can Leeds wait on Muniz?
Leeds United's ambition to secure Rodrigo Muniz as their marquee summer signing is clear, but how long can they afford to wait? The Elland Road hierarchy view the Fulham forward as the proven goalscorer needed to spearhead their survival challenge.
While personal terms are reportedly already agreed with the Brazilian ace, the financial aspect remains a significant hurdle. Fulham originally said to value Muniz at £50 million, a figure well above Leeds initial £32m deal, inclusive of add-ons.
Fulham's willingness to part with Muniz hinges on securing a suitable replacement, a factor that could prolong negotiations. Despite being limited to just eight Premier League starts last season due to Raul Jimenez's form, the 23-year-old Muniz possesses undeniable talent. His impressive scoring rate of 0.75 goals per 90 minutes last term, bettered only by a handful of elite forwards, underscores his potential.
For Leeds, time is of the essence. Their urgent need for a prolific striker to lead the line means protracted negotiations carry significant risk. The longer the wait, the more opportunities arise for rival clubs, like Tottenham Hotspur, who are also rumoured suitors, to enter the fray.
Terms agreed with Longstaff
Leeds United are on the brink of completing their fifth significant summer signing, with reports from 'The Shields Gazette' indicating that Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has agreed personal terms with the Whites. This imminent arrival is set to inject a crucial blend of stability and experience into Daniel Farke's midfield for life in the Premier League.
The Elland Road hierarchy's persistence has paid off, with their third and final bid for the 27-year-old seemingly now accepted by the Magpies. The offer is understood to be worth an estimated £10 million, with an additional £2 million in performance-related add-ons, reflecting Leeds' serious intent to add depth to the squad.
For Newcastle United, the impending sale of Longstaff represents a shrewd piece of financial management. The club had proactively extended Longstaff’s contract until the end of the 2025/26 season, a crucial step taken to prevent the academy graduate from leaving on a free transfer this summer. As an academy product, his book value for accounting purposes is effectively zero, meaning the entirety of the transfer fee directly boosts their financial compliance position.
Leeds now in advanced talks with Milinkovic-Savic
Leeds long-standing summer quest for a top-notch goalkeeper appears to be reaching its climax, with overnight reports indicating the club is now in advanced talks with Torino's Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. It seems Leeds are truly determined to secure their man, as journalist Alfredo Pedulla (via Leeds United News) note the Yorkshire club "insists" on getting a deal done with both player and Torino.
Further updates from Pedulla confirm that Milinkovic-Savic is available to leave Torino if a team pays his release clause by the end of July. This clause is valued at just under €20 million for Italian clubs and slightly above €20 million for those abroad. While Napoli had previously shown interest, they haven't pursued the move aggressively.
Crucially, Leeds has reportedly made a new, in-depth enquiry for the former Manchester United youngster and could now be considering activating this clause. Although no final decision has been made yet, the situation is rapidly developing and certainly one to watch closely. This could well be the decisive move Leeds makes to bolster their goalkeeping ranks for the upcoming season.
Rodrigo was limited to just eight Premier League starts last term, owing to the resurgence of Raul Jimenez, but the former Wolves man is now 34, and it may be time for Marco Silva to move towards the younger man.