The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 20th July) - 49es don't want a fire sale this summer
Good Morning. It's Thursday 20th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
49es don't want a fire sale this summer
Speaking from his Q & A session on Leeds-live, Elland Road journalist Beren Cross has insisted that 49es Enterprises will do everything in their power to keep Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison, Wilfred Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra at Elland Road beyond the Summer. Although this will come as no surprise, Cross reveals that it's not going to be a fire sale from here on out, and if Leeds don't receive the right offers, the players are going nowhere!
Each have four years remaining on their contracts, which gives the Whites extra leverage, where it comes to negotiations. However, Adams, Harrison and Sinisterra are all believed to have certain relegation clauses in their terms, which could weaken Leeds' position.
Marathe certainly wants to retain the team's best players. Gnonto, Adams, Harrison and Sinisterra are at the top of that want-to-keep list. In some cases, relegation release clauses may take it out of their hands, but if Leeds don't see big enough offers, they will look to keep those players. It's hard to see the squad as it is staying that way by the time the window closes. There will be, I'm sure, permanent exits, but it's not going to be a fire sale from here on out.
Leeds finally off the mark in Summer transfer window
Leeds are finally off the mark in the Summer transfer window. Ethan Ampadu has signed on the dotted line, and will link with with his new teammates this morning at Thorp Arch, in preparation for Saturdays game against Monaco. The Welsh International, 22, came through the youth ranks at Exeter City, making his senior debut for the Grecians, aged just 15. He was poached away from St James Park in 2017 (by Chelsea), and has spent the last four seasons on loan.
£7m represents good value for money by Leeds. It's going to be a while until we see money being thrown around like confetti again, and for the short term at least, this is probably as good as it gets. Daniel Farke now needs to decide where to play him!
He has top level experience, both at centre-back, and as a defensive midfielder, protecting the last line of defence. Having that flexibility won't do Leeds any harm. It's going to be a long arduous season; Leeds will need to get the best out of him, if they are to return to the top flight this time next year.
At Chelsea, Antonio Conte liked Ampadu’s attitude and the aggression in his play but, on the few occasions when he used him, was inclined to shift him between positions. Maurizio Sarri did not consider Ampadu to be a centre-back but could not make him work in the Jorginho midfield role either.
He was a central defender on loan at Sheffield United, a defensive midfielder more regularly at Venezia and a bit of both at Spezia. Wales prefer him as a deep-lying presence in front of their backline, perhaps the position Ampadu likes best and perhaps where Farke will get most out of him. It was where Ampadu was earmarked to feature when Norwich attempted to loan him three years ago.
Finding a good, consistent balance in that zone will be crucial for Farke, who likes to stack two deeper midfielders in behind his attacking line of three and a lone centre-forward. He had Oliver Skipp on loan from Tottenham in his second promotion year at Norwich City and he would have gladly taken Skipp again at Leeds but the 22-year-old made a good number of appearances for Spurs last season and, in any case, would not be remotely cheap.
United are still not certain if Tyler Adams — someone Ampadu knows from his year at Leipzig — will be with them beyond the end of the transfer window and, having allowed Marc Roca to join Real Betis, the centre of midfield is one area where places are there to be had.
While Farke is expected to focus on playing Ampadu there, he is believed to be keeping an open mind about using him as a defender in certain circumstances. Leeds like the fact he has the ability to handle more than one position. The best of Ampadu has shown him to be comfortable on the ball and with both feet. Farke envisages Leeds as a possession-based side and Ampadu is heading into that environment aiming to make himself stick.
Gnonto to stay
Leeds Utd journalist Beren Cross believes Wilfred Gnonto could stay at Elland Road this Summer, despite rumours to the contrary.
Gnonto, still only 19, has four years left on his contract, and with no relegation clauses in place, Leeds very much have the upper hand, where it comes to negotiations. It has been speculated that the Whites have already turned down one offer from Everton for the Italian International.
According to Cross
"Given how much Leeds want to keep him, the absence of a relegation release clause and the length of time still to run on his contract, I'm leaning more towards Gnonto staying. I do feel there will be one or two exits for bigger names in the Leeds squad, but the Italian is one I feel could stick around."
Farke showdown talks with Leeds duo
Daniel Farke is due to have showdown talks with Illan Meslier and Crysencio Summerville regarding their Elland Road futures. The duo, along with Wilfried Gnonto and Charlie Cresswell have returned to training this week, having participated in the European Under-21 Championships. Leeds-live have stated that 'Mes' and 'Jimmy' have 'trained well under Farke', but the German is keen to know what their plans are for next season, as he plots a route back to the Premier League!