Leeds United have suffered yet another setback in the transfer window in the wake of their failed approach for Sean Longstaff, Leeds United News have been exclusively told.
After a week which was dominated by Sunderland beating Leeds United to Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, the Whites looked to get back on track by sealing their fourth signing of the window.
Gabriel Gudmundsson was confirmed as a Leeds player on Tuesday, arriving in a £10.3m switch from Lille to replace the departed Junior Firpo.
It was expected that the signing of all-action midfielder Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United would swiftly follow.
It had been widely reported that Newcastle had accepted Leeds’ £12m offer for Longstaff, with the player eager to make the switch.
However, it emerged on Wednesday night that Newcastle had actually turned down the bid, with Leeds now considering alternatives.
It’s another transfer blow for Leeds, who still have a lot of work to do to get Daniel Farke’s squad in fit enough shape to survive in the Premier League.
As well as a midfielder, a new goalkeeper is an absolute priority but signing target Lucas Perri has just got a lot more difficult.
Lucas Perri holds a thumbs up during Lyon vs Lille in Ligue 1.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
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It has just got tougher for Leeds United to sign Lucas Perri
Leeds have been linked with several goalkeepers this summer, with Farke looking to upgrade upon Illan Meslier after his long list of costly mistakes last season.
Of all the names touted, Lyon goalkeeper Perri looked to be an intriguing option thanks to his top-level experience and the prospect of his club being relegated to Ligue 2.
It has been reported that Perri is Leeds’ top goalkeeper target, with a £12.8m price tag touted.
However, Lyon have avoided relegation and transfer expert Graeme Bailey has exclusively told Leeds United News that signing him will be a lot tougher as a result.
He said: “I think it makes it very difficult, I think them going down would have made him getable.
“I don’t think he’s ungetable but he won’t be cheap. I don’t see it really, but you know, he’s he’s got a lot of interest there.
“I don’t think he’s in a massive hurry to leave, from what I’m told, now they’re staying up, they’re playing in Europe.”
Lyon were set to be demoted to Ligue 2 by the French FA due to financial issues, but the decision was overruled on appeal on Wednesday, meaning they are set to stay in the top flight and compete in the Europa League.
Which goalkeepers can Leeds United sign in the transfer window?
It seems whenever Leeds are touted with a goalkeeper this summer, fans get excited before then having the rug pulled from under them.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic has emerged as the favourite among supporters, with many believing the 6’8″ giant would become an instant cult hero at Elland Road.
There have been some promising signs for Leeds in the Milinkovic-Savic chase, but a lot of teams are interested in the Serbian.
Elsewhere, Fenerbahce’s Dominik Livakovic remains a possibility, too.
However, several other goalkeepers that have been linked have either moved elsewhere or don’t appear to be joining Leeds. Those names include:
Finn Dahmen – Augsburg
Caoimhin Kelleher – Brentford
Aaron Ramsdale – Southampton
Nick Pope – Newcastle United
Sam Johnstone – Wolves
Djordje Petrovic – Chelsea
James Trafford – Burnley
Daniel Peretz – Bayern Munich
Noel Tornqvist – Mjallby
Robin Zentner – Mainz
With pre-season getting underway next week in a friendly against Manchester United, Leeds could do with getting their new goalkeeper in as soon as possible.
The new No.1 will need time to adapt and grow an understanding with his new teammates.
The longer it takes to sign one, the less time in pre-season he will have to do that, which could lead to a bad start to the season. The last thing Leeds need.