Gradel rules out Leeds return

-
Former Leeds United player Max Gradel has ruled out a return to Leeds at this moment in his career.
Gradel, who enjoyed two seasons at Elland Road, has been linked with a move back to Leeds recently but the winger who currently plays in the French top flight with St Etienne, says he cannot return to Leeds whilst the are in the championship but he hasn`t ruled out a return one day.
Speaking on Radio Leeds, Gradel said, "I saw some news saying that I was coming back. I know they tried to speak to my agent about coming back but as much as I love and respect Leeds and the fans, who have been fantastic. Football wise, I have to try to improve and move on.
"I love Leeds and I hope one day I will come back but right now, I am in the top league and I want to move forward and play Champions League football.
"Leeds are in the Championship right now and footballing wise, I can`t go back to Leeds, but you never know, things move quickly and I might be back at Leeds one day."
Gradel spent just under two years at Elland Road, helping the side win promotion from League One and then finish seventh in their first season in the championship.
The 25-year-old was the Fans and Players Player of the Year in 2011, in a season where he scored 18 goals before departing Leeds to join St Etienne, where he is a regular in the side.
Gradel is currently on African Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast and he has played in both of their group wins so far.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o
Read more