Leeds United are still in the process of waiting for clubs to make judgments on prospective signings this summer.
The window has now been open for nearly a week, and Leeds are no closer to making their first signing.
Instead, much of the attention behind the scenes at Elland Road has been on getting players out, and Wednesday was a very fruitful day in that regard.
Leeds not only made headway in talks to permanently sell Marc Roca to Real Betis, but they also got closer to finalizing an agreement with Everton to send Jack Harrison on loan again.
Clearly, Leeds are prioritising player withdrawals at this juncture, as the all-important date of June 30 approaches, which marks the end of the fiscal year.
Transfer insider provides a mixed update on Leeds’ interest in Oliver Skipp.
Roca and Harrison are unlikely to be the only players to leave Leeds this summer, and others from last season’s first team group will also depart.
So far, Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, and Ilia Gruev have been the most extensively associated with moves elsewhere, and replacements would need to be found if they left.
LeedsUnited.News talked exclusively with transfer analyst Graeme Bailey this week, and one of the subjects discussed was Leeds’ interest in Tottenham’s Oliver Skipp.
Skipp has apparently been highlighted as someone Leeds could target if they are forced to look for a new midfielder, with Borussia Dortmund interested in Gruev.
Bailey doubts Spurs would be willing to let Skipp go this summer since he is a homegrown player, but if that changes, he believes Leeds will be ‘at the table’.
He said: “I don’t see it, mainly because Skipp is a homegrown player at Spurs and had chances there. He would be a very expensive signing. If it was a loan with an option, possibly. But in terms of a permanent deal, no.
“I think it will depend on the player but with Hojbjerg leaving I don’t see Skipp leaving this summer personally. Could be proven wrong and if he does go, I think Leeds would be at the table for him. It wouldn’t be a cheap deal, though.”
Daniel Farke is a big fan of Leeds target Skipp
Leeds manager Daniel Farke worked with Skipp previously during his loan spell at Norwich City, and so it is clear to see why he would be a target.
Skipp started 44 of Norwich’s 46 league games as they romped to the Championship title, which would suggest just how much he is rated by Farke.
Farke also spoke very highly of Skipp publicly as he hailed him as both a ‘top player’ and a ‘top character’.
He said: “It’s difficult also for young players to handle that praise so I am quite careful in praising them too much but actions are more important than any words.
“When you look at Oliver’s season you can realise that he has played more or less every second in the league for us, for a side that has lots of competition in the squad.
“This says a lot about how much I rate him and how much I value him, I don’t want to praise him too much in public, it’s more like each and every day I keep on criticising him. I ask for more goals, for more assists, better passing choices, for many topics to improve.
“But my actions speak louder than my words. He plays each and every second for more or less each and every game for such a good side. He’s a top player and also a top character.”
