Farke finally gets what he wants at Leeds United ahead of frantic fortnight with four key targets - Leeds Live 17/8/23
Leeds United have 15 days to conclude their summer transfer business yet they now have control for manager Daniel Farke on his squad's fate incoming and outgoing
ByBeren Cross
A corner may have finally been turned at Leeds United as
Daniel Farke gets himself into the driving seat for a frantic final fortnight
of the transfer window. Four high-calibre second-tier additions seem to have
been lost in the relentless drive of 13 exits and myriad relegation release
clauses.
The manager, composed throughout his press conferences up to
now, has not shied away from how bumpy this summer, and August especially,
would be, but there may now be a light at the end of the tunnel. Farke had
talked about being out of the driving seat and watching on as Leeds were
powerless to stop players from leaving.
And yet, with 15 days of the window to go, it seems destiny
may be back in his and the club’s hands for the final push towards a
promotion-ready squad. The exit clauses which have dogged the summer have now
expired, LeedsLive understands.
Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra were the remaining assets
United were most vulnerable to losing, either on loan or permanently, but their
clauses were not successfully activated in time. Now, if any further offers
come in for that pair, or anyone else in the squad, Farke and the hierarchy
will decide if they wish to accept or not.
With the expiry of the clauses, Farke has clarity on what
his squad looks like and who he will realistically be able to count on beyond
September 1. It’s also crystallised the incoming transfer picture too.
As the Max Aarons pursuit showed, another full-back remains
of interest to Leeds. The initial expectation was they may be tempted by a
left-back, but Farke’s keenness for a versatile option, like his former Norwich
City charge, has developed.
In midfield, with Adams, Ethan Ampadu and Archie Gray
currently in place as three dependable options, a fourth, bona fide starter is
on United’s radar. If Adams and Ampadu are seen as defensive choices, someone
else with attacking traits, like Gray, would fit the bill.
A striker is a third priority for the recruitment team.
Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Mateo Joseph are in Farke’s plans, but
another option would complement what they already have.
Beyond that trio, there would be some temptation to go after
another midfielder or a full-back, depending on who is available on the market.
With Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow, Farke has already made it clear that
department is sorted.
Another full-back or two would be added to Junior Firpo, Sam
Byram, Leo Hjelde, Luke Ayling and Cody Drameh, leaving both sides
well-stocked. Charlie Cresswell, Joe Rodon, Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk have
central defence nailed down.
Adams, Ampadu, Gray and another one or two midfielders would
be ably backed up by Darko Gyabi, Jamie Shackleton and Lewis Bate, though don’t
be surprised to see fringe options find loans of their own. As it stands, the
three roles behind a striker would be filled by Crysencio Summerville, Sam
Greenwood, Daniel James, Sinisterra, Ian Poveda, Wilfried Gnonto and Joe
Gelhardt.
Then one lone striker can be taken from Bamford, Rutter,
Joseph or the new face they want in there. The priority in any of the new
players arriving is the ability to make an immediate impact in this promotion
push.
Resale value and potential have been considered imperative
in the past, but this time it’s all about ready-made Championship
difference-makers, whether they arrive permanently or on loan. Rodon is a good
example.
He represents the calibre of players Leeds should need to
get promoted, but buying him would have cost £15m and that is not a realistic
sum for many second-tier sides to spend on any player. A loan, in that
instance, got Leeds the quality of player they needed without decimating their
profit and sustainability position.
As it does with most things in life, a deadline will focus
minds and September 1 is rapidly approaching for everyone. Transfer targets are
mulling over their options and allowing as much time as possible for the best
offer to arrive.