Good Morning. It's Monday 3rd August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds top group after coming back to destroy Liverpool
Leeds United capped off their United States pre‑season tour with a thrilling 4‑2 victory over Liverpool at Soldier Field, the iconic stadium set against the Chicago skyline. Trailing 2‑0 at the break after Luke Chambers tapped in a corner and Florian Wirtz volleyed home from a Frimpong cross, the Whites looked rudderless, yet a clear off‑side on the second goal was missed because the referee team’s communications had failed. Daniel Farke’s halftime reshuffle, however, proved inspired.
Introducing Harry Wilson, Sean Longstaff, Dominic Calvert‑Lewin and Brenden Aaronson, the substitutes sparked a relentless second‑half surge. Aaronson latched onto an Ethan Ampadu through‑ball to halve the deficit, Calvert‑Lewin powered home a header from a long throw to level the scores, and then Longstaff finished a slick Justin‑Aaronson move to put Leeds ahead. The striker completed the rout with another header from a Bornauw‑flicked Ampadu throw‑in, sealing a remarkable comeback in which every goal came from the bench.
The win not only gave Leeds bragging rights over their Premier League rivals but also saw them top the pre‑season group on goal difference, edging out Liverpool after the Reds had earlier beaten Sunderland 4‑2 and Championship outfit Wrexham 1‑0. With Sunderland and Wrexham locked in third after Sunderland’s 1‑0 win over the Welsh side, Leeds will now return to Elland Road to host Bundesliga side RB Leipzig next weekend, an early test of the momentum and squad depth forged during their memorable American tour.
Leeds miss out on Brandt
Ajax have secured the signature of veteran German playmaker Julian Brandt on a free transfer, dealing a notable blow to Leeds United, who had been touting the 30‑year‑old as a prime summer target. Brandt put pen to paper on a three‑year deal that runs until 30 June 2029, opting for the Eredivisie giants despite Leeds having presented a contract offer and even hosting his father and agent, Jürgen Brandt, for talks at the Thorp Arch training ground.
The decision, Brandt said, was swayed by a combination of factors: the persuasive presence of Ajax’s head coach Michel, a candid sit‑down with technical director Jordi Cruyff, and the enduring allure of the club’s footballing philosophy rooted in the legacy of Johan Cruyff. Those elements, he explained, offered a clearer vision of his role and a sporting environment that resonated with his own ambitions.
For Leeds, the missed signing forces manager Daniel Farke to recalibrate his summer recruitment strategy. The club’s scouting department has already pivoted to a working shortlist of alternative attacking options, with reports indicating a renewed push for Marseille’s dynamic winger Igor Paixão as a leading candidate to fill the creative void left by Brandt’s departure. As the transfer window progresses, Leeds will need to act swiftly to bolster their attacking ranks and maintain momentum ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Marseille demand €50m for Paixão
Having missed out on Julian Brandt, Leeds have wasted no time, and have made an enquiry regarding Igor Paixão, but a substantial valuation gap is likely to scupper any deal. Despite Marseille's pressing financial necessities, where they have placed virtually their entire squad on the transfer list, owner Frank McCourt is demanding €50m (£42.7m) to sanction the sale of the 26yo Brazilian winger, as reported by Foot Mercato.
Leeds value Paixão at approximately €30m (£25m), the same amount the Ligue 1 side paid for his services just twelve months ago, where they piped Leeds to his signature. This €20m gap creates a formidable obstacle to a swift agreement, turning what might seem like a straightforward opportunity, given Marseille's desperate position, into a long complex negotiation headache which Leeds could do without, especially with less than a month left in the transfer window.
Could Sulc solve Leeds creative needs
Media reports over the weekend suggest Leeds have officially entered talks with Olympique Lyonnais regarding a move for Pavel Šulc, the highly-rated 25-year-old Czech Republic international attacking midfielder that has been on Leeds radar for the last month or so. Lyon are holding out for approximately €25 million (£21.2 million) for the player, who is under contract in France until June 2029. Šulc emerged as a standout talent during his debut Ligue 1 campaign, contributing 15 goals and 10 assists across 42 appearances in all competitions.
Primarily operating as a classic number 10, the creative hub behind the striker, he possesses the versatility to push further forward as a secondary striker or drift wide onto the flanks, combining intelligent movement with strong finishing, keen chance creation in the final third, and a dangerous long-range shot. While Leeds are keenly interested, their pursuit faces significant competition from other Premier League clubs, notably Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, complicating negotiations as Lyon aim to capitalise on the midfielder’s impressive breakthrough season.