Leeds United fans went into this summer thinking that the club would spend big on their return to the Premier League.
Club chairman Paraag Marathe even assured fans that Leeds would ”spend every penny”. So far just over £30million has been spent on four players. But the recruitment the club have done so far has been solid – adding four quality players to boost the team’s depth. Leeds have added two starters from top European teams, as well as two solid rotation options.
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Each signing also fills a serious need in a squad position. Lukas Nmecha brings quality and depth to the attack, and will provide competition for Joel Piroe. Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson will arguably be next season’s starters at center back and left back respectively.
QUIZ: Can you name these past and present Leeds United players?
Leeds United fans frustrated after recent transfer fails
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Even though transfer activity has gone smoothly, fans were outraged over recent news.
Sunderland snapped up Habib Diarra from Strasbourg. The Senegalese international had been on Leeds’ radar, and the Whites had held talks over a move. Ultimately the club refused to pay the £30million fee, and Diarra joined the Black Cats. Days later, another Leeds target joined the Black Cats – Noah Sadiki from Union Saint-Gilloise. The young midfielder revealed that he held talks with Leeds before making his decision.
Joe Donnohue reflects on club’s strategy
Joe Donnohue shed some light on Leeds United and their approach to the transfer market this summer, citing the pros and cons of the methods. He was speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast:
“I can understand the frustration of fans when they’re hearing reports that Leeds are interested in this player but they deem a deal unlikely.
“That is a consequence of the transfer strategy, which is. ‘let’s try and be ambitious and let’s try and get these players that might just be a little bit out of our league’.
“But if we end up getting them, like they did with Bijol and Gudmundsson — who were both first-choices in their respective positions — then you can look at it and say, ‘yeah, I am glad we didn’t try and temper expectations.
“Or didn’t try and second guess which X player would be interested. We tested the water — for whatever reason sometimes when you test the waters, a selling club might publicise that to journalists that they’re friendly with in whatever country that is.
“Then that gets picked up by the English media and then it’s out in the open. Ultimately, the end of the window will determine whether Leeds have been successful. I think they’ve made good progress so far.”
Transfer targets show solid recruitment policies
If you look at the two players that Leeds have ”missed out on” it shows how good the recruitment team has been.
The club identified two midfielders who have the quality to play in the Premier League, and have been snapped up by clubs at that level. Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki had many suitors across top European leagues, so the fact that Leeds were in talks to sign these players is a huge positive sign.
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