One of Leeds United’s reported January targets was spotted arriving in his new location ahead of a medical on Sunday morning, but he is not heading to Thorp Arch.
Instead, German giants Borussia Dortmund will be tasked with keeping Daniel Svensson on track to become one of Europe’s most exciting young full-backs.
Leeds have been connected with the seven-time Sweden international, among the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, RB Leipzig and Liverpool. But, in a weekend in which Junior Firpo delivered a timely reminder of his skills, Svensson took one important step towards becoming a Dortmund player.
On Saturday, reports surfaced stating that Daniel Svensson had reached an agreement with the Bundesliga’s biggest clubs.
And, while nothing can truly be deemed finished until the proverbial fat lady sings, she looks to be warming up her vocal chords and rehearsing scales. Svensson was observed arriving in Dortmund on Sunday morning, flying in from Denmark as the FC Nordsjaelland prodigy prepares to face medical testing and sign contracts at Signal Iduna Park.
Leeds United miss out as Daniel Svensson lands in Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League final last season with Ian Maatsen, a former Chelsea loanee who currently plays for Aston Villa, as their starting left back.
Die Schwarzgelben have yet to replace Maatsen, although Remy Bensebaini has performed admirably in his absence.
The addition of Svensson, a classic Dortmund signing at only 22 years old and plenty of potential, will provide an early boost to recently appointed Nico Kovac.
The former Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, and Eintracht Frankfurt coach has been named Nuri Sahin’s replacement, with Dortmund starting the weekend in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table.
It is unclear how much Dortmund would pay for Svensson, although Nordsjaelland reportedly requested £7.5 million when Benfica discussed a possible transfer to the Portuguese city.
Benfica, like Leeds, will have to hunt elsewhere for a left-back.
Danish publication Tipsbladet claim that Nordsjaelland had planned to keep Svensson until the summer. But when he voiced his ‘great desire’ to join a club who transformed Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski into household names, Nordsjaelland elected not to stand in his way.
Junior Firpo’s Cardiff masterclass offers Leeds fuel for thought.
Leeds’ own left-back hunt will most likely be determined by Junior Firpo’s decision in the coming months.
The £13 million former Barcelona player has been linked with a move to Spain, with old club Real Betis allegedly interested, as his contract at Elland Road expires in July.
On present form, however, Leeds may look to keep a player who is playing his finest football in that renowned white shirt. Junior Firpo, who had previously been criticised, provided a hat-trick of assists as Leeds defeated Cardiff City 7-0 on Saturday, with his first of the afternoon setting up Dan James soon after half-time.
“Special mention to Junior as well,” James added after Leeds’ largest home victory in over 50 years. “He has been sidelined for a while [due to injury], and he has three assists today.
“Everyone chipped in today.”
Largie Ramazani even compared Firpo to ‘prime Jordi Alba’, describing the Spain-born Dominican Republic international as flying down the flank in a manner reminiscent of the Barcelona great at the height of his powers.
