Gabriel Gudmundsson is looking like a potential candidate to arrive at Leeds United this summer. He could yet be the club’s replacement for Junior Firpo.
Gabriel Gudmundsson‘s name has been in a lot of headlines recently. The Swedish international sees his contract with Ligue 1 side Lille expire in the summer of 2026 and Gudmundsson has been linked with a move to Leeds United.
A natural left-back, this potential move for the 26-year-old comes as Leeds United are about to lose Junior Firpo, who’s agreed a deal to join Real Betis on a free transfer with an announcement now looking imminent.
So far this summer, Leeds United have been linked with a number of left-backs. Gudmundsson is just one, but there’s also the likes of Wolves’ Hugo Bueno and Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas who’ve been linked with a move to Elland Road.
Gabriel Gudmundsson in action for Lille against Bologna in the Champions League.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gudmundsson was a key player for Lille last season, featuring 30 times in Ligue 1 and scoring twice as Lille went on to achieve a commendable 5th place finish in the French top tier. His potential exit then is big news, and French media have reported quite heavily on the matter.
And it looks like all signs are pointing towards Gudmundsson leaving Lille this summer, and potentially heading to England. Le11 report that Gudmundsson has expressed his desire to leave the club this summer and that a move to England is now looking probable.
Ouest France share the same view. They report that the Malmo-born defender ‘is expected to leave’ and that ‘a departure to England is likely’, with Everton and Burnley rivalling Leeds United for Gudmundsson this summer.
Gabriel Gudmundsson in action for Lille
Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
Gabriel Gudmundsson has given his verdict on a move to Leeds United
These reports in France come in the wake of recent comments from the player himself. Speaking to Swedish media, Gudmundsson gave his verdict on a move to Leeds United this summer.
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He said: “I can only say that it is a good team [Leeds United] that plays in the Premier League, a league and a country where I also have an ambition to one day play considering that I grew up watching that league. It’s a league that I appreciate very much.”
In the same interview, Gudmundsson explained what he wants from his next club, too. “There are boxes to check off,” he began. “First and foremost, you should enjoy yourself, and then I think you play your best football. You want to feel prioritised by a club. You also want to feel that there is a lot of competition in the league and that the club has a goal and clarity in what they want.
“That is very important, then the financial stuff comes a bit in second place. It is a lot of fun going forward regardless of what happens, so I am very excited about it.”
For Leeds United and Farke, the door certainly seems to be wide open on a move for Gudmundsson. Now it’s about finalising terms and so on, beating other teams to the punch, and bringing him in.