Leeds United Gabriel Gudmundsson
(Credit: Imago)
Alex Charlton
Tue 8 July 2025 8:10, UK
Leeds United have a Junior Firpo-sized hole to fill on the left side of their defence ahead of the Premier League season.
Firpo looks set for Real Betis on a free transfer after his contract expired at the end of June.
The Dominican was a standout performer last season as the Peacocks lifted the Championship title, notching 14 goal contributions.
Gabriel Gudmundsson is the man Leeds want to replace him, and a move is getting closer.
Junior Firpo's Championship stats for Leeds United.
Firpo’s Championship stats for Leeds (Credit: Imago)
Leeds United close in on Gudmundsson after transfer update
Leeds have reached an agreement with Lille for Gudmundsson, with a fee of £10.3million to be paid for the Swede.
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Dr Rajpal Brar exclusively told MOT Leeds News that he does not expect Gudmundsson to encounter any issues during his Elland Road medical.
The 26-year-old made 45 appearances for Lille across all competitions last season, including nine in the Champions League.
Gudmundsson has been having his Leeds medical and is expected to complete all his checks on Tuesday (8 July), according to Zinny Boswell.
Once the deal goes through, the Swedish international will become Daniel Farke’s fourth signing, following Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw.
The defender has spent the past four years with the Ligue 1 side, making just under 150 appearances.
Now, he is set for a new chapter in the Premier League, where he will replace the departed Firpo.
Gusmundsson has big shoes to fill at Elland Road
Whoever ends up replacing Firpo will come under the spotlight, given his ridiculous statistics last season.
Of course, Firpo’s contributions came in the Championship, so it is tough to compare his exploits to Gudmundsson’s.
However, it seems that the Swede does carry an attacking threat when analysing his numbers.
Last season, the left back totalled three goal contributions in all competitions as Lille finished fifth in Ligue 1, also playing in the Champions League.
It is during his previous stint with Halmstads BK that his attacking numbers are healthier.
During the 2018 Superettan campaign, the defender delivered 15 goal contributions – a career high for Gudmundsson.
While his recent attacking numbers last season are not as impressive as Firpo’s, it must be noted that he was playing for one of the top teams in France.
Furthermore, Farke can adapt him to play a more similar role to Firpo, while his defensive strength will be key to survival.
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