After Junior Firpo’s Elland Road exit was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Leeds United now find themselves in dire need of a left-back or two.
Since the end of the season, it’s been clear that Daniel Farke needs full-backs, and in particular left-backs, with no actual left-backs on his books going into next season as things stand.
Junior Firpo was the main man in that role last season. He flourished, but Firpo has agreed a deal to join Real Betis on a free transfer after his contract at Elland Road came to an end.
Meanwhile, Sam Byram has been offered a new Leeds United contract. But he’s yet to sign the deal, and Farke certainly won’t want to go into the next campaign with only Byram in that left-back position.
So far this summer, Leeds United have been linked with several left-backs. Now with Firpo’s future decided, but not yet confirmed, Farke looks set to step up his efforts to sign a new full-back, and Wolves’ Hugo Bueno could be his man.
Hugo Bueno before a friendly match for Wolves against Crystal Palace.
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Leeds United and Feyenoord ready to battle for Wolves’ Hugo Bueno
Leeds United were linked with Bueno throughout the 2024/25 season, where he played on loan at Feyenoord. He clearly impressed with Feyenoord desperate to sign Bueno on a permanent deal, though Wolves hold all the cards, obviously. And after Man City signed Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves, the Midlands club may not even consider selling Bueno this summer.
But an emerging report from Spanish outlet Marca (print edition, June 20th) has revealed how Leeds United and Feyenoord are the two teams trying to sign Bueno this summer. But it remains unclear whether or not Wolves would be open to a sale this summer, nor what they might command for the 22-year-old should they be open to a sale.
Currently playing alongside Mateo Joseph with the Spanish U21s in the UEFA Euro U21 Championships, Bueno claimed three assists in 20 Eredivisie games in the 2024/25 season.
A general view of Leeds United's Elland Road stadium.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
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Leeds United’s chances of beating Feyenoord in Hugo Bueno race
Bueno has become hot property after an impressive loan spell away from the Molineux, and whichever way he looks at it, he could have a guaranteed place in a Premier League team next season, or a place at Feyenoord.
And it’s the Dutch side who’ve been tipped to win this particular transfer race. Dutch pundit Martijn Krabbendam previously backed Feyenoord to sign Bueno this summer, though that was before Ait-Nouri left the club.
It’s understood that Wolves want to take a serious look at Bueno this summer and the writing may be on the wall for Leeds here: either Bueno stays at Wolves or he joins Feyenoord on a permanent deal, in what could also be a very costly deal.
But emerging reports citing Leeds United’s ongoing interest suggest that Leeds United aren’t giving up easily, and the length of time for which he’s been linked tells us that Farke’s done his homework, and likes Bueno a lot.