Leeds United have earmarked Gabriel Gudmundsson as their new left-back transfer target, and the 26-year-old has been on the record previously to state he expects to leave, with the Premier League a dream of his.
Daniel Farke’s full-back positions are typically a crucial component to his side’s success, so replacing the outbound Junior Firpo is a vital part of the summer recruitment strategy.
Not only do Leeds need someone who can replicate the Dominican’s output in the final third, but they also need someone who would be an improvement on Firpo’s defensive ability.
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Leeds United eye Lille’s Gabriel Gudmundsson for new transfer at left-back
The Yorkshire Evening Post revealed on Wednesday that Leeds have their eyes on Lille’s Gabriel Gudmundsson as one option to strengthen at left-back this summer.
(REUTERS/Juan Medina)
Gudmundsson, 26, enters the final year of his contract in July, meaning he could be available at an ideal price for the 49ers.
An exit from Stade Pierre Mauroy is expected, with the Sweden internatioanl previously stating this about the possibility of a new contract:
“There have been discussions for an extension with Lille, of course,” he told Swedish media, quoted by La Voix du Nord.
“To be respectful, I don’t want to go into too much detail. I’ve been here for four very beautiful years, but sometimes contracts come to an end and things can happen.
“There’s a good chance I’ll leave. It will be a very interesting summer.”
Gabriel Gudmundsson has already admitted Premier League transfer dream amid Leeds United links
The left-back has Premier League history in his family, with his father Niklas having a brief stint at reigning English champions Blackburn Rovers, before spending time in the second tier with Ipswich Town too.
Gudmundsson has enjoyed much more top flight and European football than his father before him, but has outlined that his parents’ influence is strong on his career.
“It’s always been football for me,” Gudmundsson told Give Me Sport in November 2024. “I don’t think I had a choice to do anything else. My father has always been there and so has my mother, who also played, and my brother is playing. Of course, I have been compared with my father because I was a striker when I was young and even a winger when I was in the Netherlands.
“Although I’ll be compared to him, it’s nice to have reached this level now, both in the national team and with Lille. I’m playing at a very good level and have gained a lot of experience in the Champions League, as well as the Conference League.”
Following in his father’s footsteps with a move to the English top flight is a “dream” of the left-back, though, as he continued:
“I’m happy with my career so far, but I’m also very determined about what’s coming. I grew up watching the Premier League, so it is a dream to go there one day. It’s a league I have always liked following.”
Leeds United have big opportunity to strengthen at left-back with Gabriel Gudmundsson deal
Leeds look to have found another viable option in the transfer market this summer with Gudmundsson’s contract due to expire in a year’s time.
It means he’s not likely to cost a huge deal for Leeds, and is clearly ready to make that next step in his career, which he hopes is the Premier League.
Leeds could be that exit route for him, and all signs from his previous comments point towards Leeds having a good run at signing him.