Credit: Imago
Leeds United have several key decisions to make as the squad returns for pre-season ahead of what promises to be another demanding Premier League campaign.
Several players are due back at Elland Road this summer, but their long-term futures remain uncertain.
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Max Wober, Mateo Joseph, Joe Gelhardt and Largie Ramazani were all sent out on loan last season in the hope of securing regular first-team football. However, none of their temporary clubs opted to make the deals permanent.
All four left Leeds in search of more opportunities, but things did not work out as planned, leaving the 49ers with some big calls to make over the coming weeks.
Outgoings will be just as important as new arrivals this summer. With the Premier League’s Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules in place, Leeds know they must manage the size and cost of the squad carefully while reshaping it for the season ahead.
Leeds United defender close to returning to homeland
While Leeds are working on deals to reinforce their squad, the club are also pushing to finalise the exits of loads of deadwood this summer.
Isaac Schmidt is one player Leeds were not hoping to see again when they loaned him out to Werder Bremen last year. However, he didn’t do enough to earn the German club’s trust.
It is unclear whether he has reported for pre-season testing this week, but the club are in talks to move him on as soon as possible.
FC Basel and Young Boys are two clubs who are in talks to sign the defender from Leeds in the ongoing transfer window.
And according to Berner Zeitung, Young Boys are closing in on a deal to sign the Leeds full-back this summer.
They are in advanced negotiations with Leeds and his representatives over a deal to take him back to Switzerland ahead of the new season.
It is unclear whether it will be another loan deal or a permanent transfer.
Isaac Schmidt is going to be one of several Leeds exits
Isaac Schmidt is among the players Leeds United are looking to move on this summer, with the defender no longer part of Daniel Farke’s long-term plans.
Largie Ramazani is back for pre-season, but Valencia remain keen to re-sign him after his loan spell and are continuing to work on a deal to take him back to the Mestalla.
Mateo Joseph’s future is far less clear. A recent knee injury has made any potential transfer more complicated, and there is a growing expectation he could still be at Elland Road when the window shuts.
Joel Piroe is also expected to leave as Leeds push to sign a new striker, although no club has yet progressed to advanced negotiations for the forward.
Wilfried Gnonto remains another possible departure, but any move will depend on a club matching Leeds’ asking price for the Italy international.