Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe.
As Leeds United continue their fine run of form, and several teams continue to fight for their Premier League survival, new names are being linked to bolster the squad ahead of the summer transfer window.
Leeds United’s left-back situation is settled. Gabriel Gudmundsson arrived from Lille for around £10m last summer and has started 23 league games. The Swede has been an excellent choice for Daniel Farke and a regular starter at Leeds this season.
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Sam Byram provides experienced cover, though his contract expires in the summer, and there are doubts as to whether he could cut it in the Premier League, with James Justin more than capable of doing a job at left-back for Farke if needed.
Whilst this is not a position of urgent need, reports have emerged linking Leeds with a Manchester United defender who will be available on a free transfer when his contract expires in June. However, the left back’s best has not been seen for a very long time.
Leeds reportedly interested in Manchester United’s Tyrell Malacia
Tyrell Malacia arrived at Old Trafford in 2022 with a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young full-backs. Erik ten Hag knew him from Feyenoord. A £13m fee felt sensible. He made 39 appearances in his first season and looked settled.
Afterwards, major injuries halted his progress at Manchester United.
Malacia has endured a nightmare run of injuries, including two serious knee setbacks that forced him to miss around 70 games. His career has effectively been on hold since January 2025. He has played just three Premier League games in the last two seasons and managed only ten minutes of top-flight football this campaign.
This has not stopped Leeds from showing interest in the defender, however, with SportsBoom reporting that Leeds, alongside Sunderland and other European clubs, are showing interest in Malacia, who is available on a free transfer in the summer.
Given the extensive injuries Malacia has suffered, along with the reported £93,750 a week he earns according to Capology are two valid enough reasons as to why the 49ers must avoid bringing the Dutchman to Elland Road this summer.
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Data suggests Gabriel Gudmundsson is superior to Tyrell Malacia
The data suggests that, even at his best during the 2022/23 campaign when Malacia was featuring regularly for Manchester United, he still wasn’t as good as what Gudmundsson has been so far this season.
Stat Tyrell Malacia (2022/23) Gabriel Gudmundsson (2025/26)
Appearances 22 25
Big Chances Created 1 3
Tackles per Game 2.1 2.2
Interceptions per Game 1.1 0.7
Successful Dribbles per Game 0.3 (32%) 1.3 (54%)
Total Duels Won 3.3 (50%) 5.7 (54%)
(Sofascore)
These numbers were whilst Malacia was fully fit, it would be unreasonable to expect that the 26-year-old could still perform at that level immediately after player such little football in the last few years.
This is something the 49ers must recognise before they decide to step up any potential pursuit of Malacia.
Whilst signing injury-prone players for Leeds has worked in the past, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Manor Solomon being massive successes, both players were dramatic upgrades on other players Leeds had at their disposal at the time.
With Malacia, Leeds would be taking on the risk of signing an incredibly injury-prone player, who would also likely be glued to the bench on the occasions that he is fully fit, with Gudmundsson starting ahead of him.
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