Leeds United have been strongly linked with a move to sign left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille this month, and while there’s reportedly been progress, he’s not left his squad at this stage it seems.
Leeds have three signings on the board as we approach the beginning of pre-season – expected to start early next week – with the arrivals of Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw.
More is obviously required sooner rather than later in order for Daniel Farke to have a squad ready to take on the Premier League, and pressure to get key signings over the line has ramped up after Sunderland-related developments this week.
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Leeds United make ‘progress’ in signing Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille
Interest in signing Lille left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson has become a public discussion after it emerged recently that the Swedish international appears on the Whites’ shortlist to replace the now-departed Junior Firpo – while the player himself hasn’t shied away from addressing speculation linking him with Elland Road.
(REUTERS/Juan Medina)
Leeds currently don’t have single left-back on the books with no official word yet on Sam Byram, who is currently out of contract despite confirmation of ongoing talks in the club’s retained list.
The YEP’s most recent update on Gudmundsson came on Tuesday, as Graham Smyth shared that there was progress made in Leeds’ pursuit of the 26-year-old, but nothing is imminent, as he entered the final 12 months of his deal at the Ligue 1 club.
Leeds United signing of Gabriel Gudmundsson not imminent after Lille pre-season footage confirms left-back’s presence
The start of July brings a new PSR cycle for Leeds and an expectance from fans that a flurry of transfer activity will follow.
Progress on the Gudmundsson front has fans hoping for an imminent update and potentially an announcement soon, as the more eager supporters sift through Flight Radar in hopes of a private jet being chartered from Northern France towards Leeds Bradford Airport.
However, Lille’s X account provided an update of their pre-season training commencing, in which Gudmundsson is present:
Gabriel Gudmundsson not going on strike to pursue Leeds United move, despite being open
It’s obvious that Gudmundsson would like to move to the Premier League if the opportunity arises, which looks to be the case with Leeds.
That being said, he’s not looking to burn bridges at Lille by refusing to train ahead of their Ligue 1 campaign, reporting for training as normal.
It also doesn’t mean that Gudmundsson might not be flying out as soon as possible by the time Leeds and Lille come to an agreement, if they do.
However, hopes of him putting pen to paper on a contract at Elland Road right this second appear premature.