Leeds United centre-back Pascal Struijk has been linked with a move away from the club prior to the transfer deadline.
The Dutchman is Leeds United’s vice captain, and Pascal Struijk has been a part of the furniture at the club for over seven years, making him the longest-serving player since his arrival from Ajax. From there, he went into the academy initially.
However, there have been concerns all summer regarding Struijk’s Leeds future. He could be the one to raise the funds in order for the club to conduct more of the big-money business late in the transfer window.
Reporters like Adam Pope have raised concerns over Struijk’s future in recent months, while Beren Cross explained the Struijk PSR complexities as well, with the noise regarding his personal situation simply not going away.
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Beren Cross explains Pascal Struijk’s situation amid Villarreal interest
All of the major names involved in the reporting of the club have spoken out about the 26-year-old centre-back’s future at one stage or another this summer. Graham Smyth has raised fresh Struijk concerns lately.
That’s why Struijk and Willy Gnonto have been earmarked as PSR sales potentially. However, interest has been limited up to this point, with the main story at one stage regarding Struijk and links to PSV Eindhoven.
The latest information is that Villarreal are now in the race to sign Struijk. Amid this talk, Cross of The Athletic has cleared up the financial situation at the club, with less than two weeks to go in the transfer window.
He said: “My assumption had always been one of Struijk, Gnonto or [Mateo] Joseph would need to be sold for an eight-figure sum that delivered a PSR boost in this window.
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“However, the point was made by someone at the club, during the Germany camp, that the accounting deadline is June 30, 2026. Therefore, sales can be made in January or next June to cut the club’s cloth.
“That looks increasingly like the best course of action to me. Take as many of your best players into the season, give it your best shot and then make the most informed decision before next June on what you need going into 26/27.
“If a club does come in with an offer Leeds cannot reject, then that may force their hand, of course.”
It offers some hope regarding Struijk and whether Leeds can retain him. Of course, they have Sebastiaan Bornauw, Joe Rodon, and Jaka Bijol as the primary central defenders, but they will want four senior options this season.
Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk
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Pascal Struijk’s performance by numbers against Everton
Leeds could grant Struijk fresh terms and a new contract but last night’s performance against Everton reminded the fanbase of what he can look like at his best.
Only James Tarkowski, Anton Stach, and Michael Keane bettered Struijk’s eight defensive contributions. He also had the second most passes into the final third on the pitch.
Most impressively, no player completed more passes in the game than Struijk. He completed 69 passes out of a possible 70 attempted. That was 19 more completions than any other player and eight more attempted than any other player.
Tarkowski had five headed clearances but Struijk’s seven was the most of any player. All of these stats are from FotMob, who handed him a 7.5 match rating, which was the fourth-highest on the pitch.
A calm, composed, and classy defender, Struijk also showed that he was more than happy to mix it in terms of the more physically demanding aspects of the game.