Any momentum Leeds United seemed to have gathered in the transfer market in recent days feels like it has come to a halt, with Sean Longstaff’s move to Elland Road falling flat on its face.
After David Ornstein’s initial news of Leeds’ bid for Longstaff, it had been reported that Leeds’ third offer of £12m would be accepted by Newcastle. But actually, the Toon rejected the offer for the midfielder.
Whether Leeds go back in remains to be seen, but for now, Leeds are back to square one with Adam Underwood keeping a tight and controlled hold on the coffers at Elland Road, spending £30m so far.
That has not stopped Underwood from making bids, with midfielders required after the losses of Joe Rothwell and Josuha Guilavogui. A new Premier League midfielder claims Leeds made a bid to sign him.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke celebrates winning promotion.
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Sunderland and Leeds locked in transfer battle merry-go-round
Sunderland and Leeds have both been touted for many of the same players. Indeed, the Black Cats have now signed three players that Leeds held talks for, in Habib Diarra, Reinildo Mandava, and Noah Sadiki.
The scrap for new players continues between Leeds and Sunderland, with both clubs interested in Lens ace Neil El Aynaoui while Leeds and Sunderland have held talks to sign Nantes attacker Matthis Abline.
Now, one of Sunderland’s confirmed arrivals has told Nieuwsblad that Leeds had made an offer to sign him, but he has chosen to join The Black Cats. Sunderland confirmed Sadiki’s £17.5m arrival last week.
Noah Sadiki of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise playing vs KRC Genk
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“I only spoke with Sunderland, Frankfurt, and Leeds, who submitted a bid. Choosing Sunderland is also a kind of bet with myself. I want to know what it’s like in the best league in the world, see where I stand.”
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What else are Leeds expected to do in the transfer market?
While Sunderland have been willing to splash the cash and will seemingly go well above £100m at an early stage in the transfer market when it comes to expenditure, Leeds have been much more measured.
Regis Le Bris during a game between Sunderland and Watford.
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Whichever tactic works best will be judged on their end-of-season finishes, but Leeds will certainly have a lot more cash in reserve and boast a better PSR position as things stand. But that could change very soon.
Leeds still need a goalkeeper, a couple of midfielders, a no.10, a replacement for Manor Solomon and a starting striker and it will be interesting to see what Leeds can do in the next week or fortnight.