It has now been more than a month since Leeds United published their retained list and confirmed the departure of Josuha Guilavogui – as well as 10 youngsters on the Leeds books.
Joining Guilavogui in being confirmed as leaving the club in the original retained list included Ireland youth international Cian Coleman, who has joined Buxton permanently, and exciting talent Luca Thomas.
The list confirmed that Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell would return to Tottenham and Bournemouth while Sam Byram and Junior Firpo were in talks at Leeds. Nothing has been confirmed regarding the duo.
But Firpo is set for Betis while the belief is that Byram will move on. Four youngsters were offered new terms and one of those was defender James Debayo, who made his senior debut for Leeds last season.
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James Debayo now expected to put pen to paper on Leeds deal
The retained list was published on May 17. We are now approaching the end of June and five weeks on from confirmation that Debayo – described as “brilliant” by Michael Skubala – had been offered terms.
Recently, it was reported that Debayo was stalling on signing the Leeds deal and in fact, may have been having second thoughts. But now, Leeds Live say Debayo is ‘expected’ to sign a new contract at Leeds.
That is despite the arrival of Jaka Bijol at centre-back and the likelihood that more signings will arrive. Leeds Live also report that upon signing a new deal, Debayo is likely to go out on loan this summer.
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The Leeds pathway is still there for defender James Debayo
A new deal for Debayo is not the only contract Leeds seem close to be sorting out. Indeed, Leeds are ‘close’ to extending Dan James’ stay at Elland Road, amid reports that Angus Kinnear’s Everton are keen.
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Bijol’s arrival, of course, pushes Debayo further down the pecking order and away from the first team. But that could all change this summer, with Max Wober told he will be sold by Leeds in the coming months.
Wober only managed nine appearances last season and underwent two operations on his knee. He has no future at Elland Road and Leeds have made that clear to the Austria international, with an exit likely.
Adam Pope says the arrival of Bijol could also see Pascal Struijk depart, with Struijk one of two players identified by Leeds as a profitable sale for PSR. Leeds may have signed Bijol, but they could sell two.