As expected, Leeds United are being linked with a plethora of different players this summer as The 49ers look to build Daniel Farke a squad capable of achieving Premier League survival.
Leeds are in limbo at the moment. With most of the players Leeds are targeting currently situated in the Premier League, The Whites can only wait until the top tier finishes for the season before making moves.
Currently, Premier League clubs have two games left to play while Leeds’ players are in Las Vegas, still partying after winning promotion and the Championship title. The decision makers are staying patient.
Leeds can make shortlists, identify the players they want but given the club is keen on adding Premier League experience, they will have to wait. One of those players is Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff.
Photo by Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle United’s stance on selling Sean Longstaff this summer
Leeds have been linked with Longstaff before and this summer, The 49ers are eyeing a £10m move for the Newcastle academy product. He is about to enter the final year of his contract under Eddie Howe.
Longstaff has not started a Premier League game since December but that is hardly his own fault – but owing more to the quality of Newcastle’s midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.
Now, The Athletic say that Longstaff is ‘likely’ to be sold this summer after being linked with a move to Elland Road. Leeds could do with midfielders, given how Farke has been left in the lurch on two occasions.
However, there is one condition. That Leeds or other interested clubs pay a ‘decent’ fee to sign Longstaff in the coming weeks and months. It remains to be seen if any other teams are interested in the midfielder.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
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Why Leeds desperately need central midfielders this summer
If you look at the Leeds squad, many would argue the side are well-stocked in midfield. But that is all about to change. Joe Rothwell is only on loan and Josuha Guilavogui is expected to leave this summer.
His contract expires in June. That leaves Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu – but the latter, some would argue, is better than Pascal Struijk alongside Joe Rodon in the middle of the Leeds defence.
Struijk has been somewhat injury prone and Ampadu may now be converted into a permanent defender. Leeds then not only need Longstaff, but perhaps one or two other options in the middle of the park.