Leeds United are going to require Premier League experience to get through next season, and if they can add those players and stay well below their budget, it’s a win-win.
Daniel Farke’s efforts to keep Leeds up next season have already been boosted by the club’s endeavours to bring in the right calibre of player during the summer window.
Seeking out shrewd deals has been the story of the summer window so far, and confirmation of Lyon’s future in Ligue 2 has sparked online speculation amongst several fanbases.
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Lyon relegated to Ligue 2, fire sale could soon follow for star players
Crippling debt and subsequent relegation is a story Leeds are all too familiar with, and another household name in Europe is facing a similar nightmare.
French giants Lyon have now been relegated to Ligue 2 (subject to an appeal process) over failing to convince the authorities that they have resolved their long-standing debts that have risen as high as €500million.
(REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo)
With that comes the inevitable discourse of which star players will be leaving Lyon and which club they could be heading to.
The topic was picked up this week by Leeds fans on social media, dreaming of the eye-catching signing of Georges Mikautadze, Ernest Nuamah or others.
Could Leeds United make move for versatile Lyon man Ainsley Maitland-Niles?
Anyone hoping for Mikautadze donning a Leeds shirt next season after seeing this news is an incredibly optimistic person, given there’ll be a queue of several sides playing European football that would gladly take him off Lyon’s hands.
(REUTERS/Manon Cruz)
However, perhaps a more attainable signing at a cut price could be full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who left Arsenal in search of better playing opportunities back in 2023, and has enjoyed his time at Lyon thus far – stating that he’s found a home in France and therefore isn’t in a great hurry to return to the UK.
That being said, relegation to Ligue 2 might drastically change his plans for the future, and Leeds could certainly do with versatile cover at full-back with Junior Firpo due to leave and Sam Byram’s situation up in the air, leaving Leeds with two full-backs: Jayden Bogle and Isaac Schmidt.
Maitland-Niles, a five-cap England international, would not only provide fairly reliable cover in both full-back positions and in midfield, but boasts plenty of top flight experience at the age of 27, making 109 Premier League appearances and 55 in Ligue 1.