Leeds United fans are still marinating with the consequences of a disastrous deadline day when the club failed to bring in the forwards that Daniel Farke made clear were essential to keep the club in the Premier League at the end of the season.
The Whites hierarchy are adamant that a bad deadline day should not overshadow a largely solid summer transfer window. They are confident that the recruitment team have built a squad good enough to give the club a fighting chance of survival in the Premier League.
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Leeds have also done some outgoing business, which was needed. Mateo Joseph was loaned out after he refused to turn up for pre-season training to force a move, and the club also terminated the contract of Patrick Bamford, who was allowed to leave the club as a free agent towards the end of last month.
However, Largie Ramazani’s loan move away from Elland Road has divided the fan base, and the club’s failure to bring in another forward on the final day has further infuriated the supporters, who felt that the Belgian had it in him to be an impact player for the club this season.
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Leeds United MD namechecked Jack Harrison as a reason to let Largie Ramazani leave
Leeds agreed to loan out Ramazani to Spanish side Valencia towards the end of the window after they signed Noah Okafor from AC Milan. Farke was still under the impression that they would sign one more player at least.
The Whites managed to ensure that there was no buy option in the agreement, but they had to forego the recall clause that could have allowed the club to take him back to Elland Road in January.
Leeds managing director Robbie Evans insisted that the winger needed minutes this season, and the presence of Jack Harrison, coupled with Okafor’s arrival, made him surplus to requirements.
“Largie was not getting the minutes he needed last season”, Evans told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“This year, we’ve added Jack [Harrison] and Noah Okafor so for him to get the minutes he needs, he’s better off playing in Spain, and he’s being coached by someone that we know and trust, and we hope that’s good for him, and that his future is open here, if that’s the right thing for him and for the club.”
Leeds may miss Ramazani this season
When Ramazani was allowed to join Valencia, there was an understanding that Leeds would sign one more forward, and so it was not seen as a big deal.
However, no new player arrived on deadline, Okafor has already picked up a groin injury, and while Harrison has grafted hard, he has failed to provide any real spark in the final third.
Ramazani is a real maverick and can create chances out of nothing, which may have made him invaluable for a team lacking some excitement in attack.
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