According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United are now “actively” hunting for reinforcements in a variety of positions following a string of exit agreements.
Joe Donnohue reported on the outlet’s website on July 8 that, following Charlie Cresswell’s sale to Toulouse, the Whites are now looking to add new signings in “a number of key positions”.
The focus comes after “offloading several fringe players” during the transfer window so far, with Cresswell joining the likes of Marc Roca, Jamie Shackleton, and Kristoffer Klaesson in making permanent departures, while Darko Gyabi, Sonny Perkins, and Sam Greenwood have all departed on loan.
Leeds United have also made headlines by selling Archie Gray to Tottenham, with only Joe Rodon signing in the opposite way as a big factor in the first team, and Alex Cairns being confirmed as the reserve goalkeeper.
Daniel Farke needs to add to Joe Rodon’s signing at Leeds United.
It’s tough to dispute that the Whites’ team isn’t weaker now than it was when the season ended with a disappointing Play Off final defeat to Southampton.
The deal to bring in Rodon is possibly critical, but it merely avoids the playing staff from deteriorating more, as he was already a crucial player on loan last season.
Losing local hero Gray is a blow regardless of how it is dressed up, and while the departures of Roca and Diego Llorente are scarcely comparable, there has been little for fans to cheer about this summer.
Cresswell’s departure brings an end to a disappointing year-long struggle in which the teenager clashed with Farke, while club captain Liam Cooper is also set to quit [TEAMtalk, 3 July ].
Leeds’ failure to clinch Premier League promotion has made the club vulnerable to future high-profile departures, namely Crysencio Summerville [Fabrizio Romano, 17 June] and Glen Kamara [Ouest France, 5 July].
So another central defender will undoubtedly be required, as will reinforcements at full-back due to Sam Byram’s injury record and Junior Firpo’s future, which is already unknown.
A forward may be necessary because Patrick Bamford or Joel Piroe might follow [Daily Mail, 1 July], while Jaidon Anthony’s loan expires and both Summerville and Willy Gnonto could be sold [Graham Smyth, 14 June] will leave the wide options limited.
Losing another central midfielder on top of Gray will also require attention, so Farke and his recruitment department have little time to fill in the gaps for another push for promotion.
