The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 6th August) - The Elland Road Balancing Act

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 6th August and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


The Elland Road balancing act

The Premier League kicks off in nine days time, and Leeds fans are starting to get a little concerned that not a single penny has been recouped from player sales this summer. Max Wober’s loan move, with two years still on his contract, does little to balance the books or alleviate the financial pressure. The Whites have shown ambition by bringing in seven new additions and spending a substantial £80 million, but the financial reality remains - a mass clear-out is needed.

The current squad contains a significant number of players who are either surplus to requirements or need to stay in the spotlight, with the World Cup around the corner. This group includes established names and promising youngsters like Jack Harrison, Illan Meslier, Ilea Gruev, Patrick Bamford, Karl Darlow, Mateo Joseph, Joe Gelhardt, Isaac Schmidt, Darko Gyabi, and Sam Greenwood.

The urgency of this situation is exemplified by Joe Gelhardt's predicament. Despite pushing for a move to Hull City, Leeds won't be able to generate a fee – not even a deferred one – due to the Tigers' ongoing transfer embargo. While Joffy's personal wishes cannot be dismissed, Leeds United is a business operating in a cut-throat environment where only the strong survive. The club must prioritise its financial stability.





Leeds Hold Key Advantage in Pursuit of Leicester Star El Khannouss

Leeds United are intensifying their pursuit of Leicester City's highly-rated midfielder, Bilal El Khannouss, with recent talks confirming their long-standing interest. The Whites find themselves in a strong negotiating position, potentially able to leverage Leicester’s precarious financial situation to their advantage.

Following their relegation, the Foxes are under pressure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules and may face sanctions for previous breaches. According to Sky Sports, this predicament could force them to sell their most valuable players to balance the books. While it is not yet clear if Leeds have activated his reported £24.5 million exit clause, pressure is mounting for all parties with the Premier League opener less than a fortnight away.

The potential deal for the midfielder is part of a broader recruitment drive at Elland Road. The main focus remains on boosting the forward line, while signing a versatile wing-back is also considered paramount for the upcoming campaign.

Interestingly, the transfer traffic between the two clubs may not be a one-way street. Leicester could look to sell goalkeeper Mads Hermansen to further improve their PSR standing, with Illan Meslier still being tipped as a potential replacement.





Promising midfielder joins Donny on loan

Leeds United midfielder Charlie Crew has completed his second successive loan move to South Yorkshire outfit Doncaster Rovers. The talented youngster will spend the 2025/26 campaign in League One with the Red and White Army continuing his development under familiar surroundings.

With a Premier League campaign on the horizon, opportunities at Elland Road can be limited, making beneficial loan spells vital for player growth. At just 19 years old, Charlie Crew is already considered a bright prospect. Remarkably, he made his senior international debut for Wales before even featuring competitively for the Leeds first team.

[Jammy 07]

Have to say that following Saturday's friendly we look well short, however there's still plenty of time so no need to panic just yet. It's the same regarding outgoings and lot's will happen between now and the end of the window.

[WhiteRose]

If we like El Khannouss and Farke can find use for him then just offer the release clause amount and get contract talks started - can guarantee there will be another club who fronts up and takes him if not - and again the club will be sat wondering what happened

[CUSSIE01]

Morning EB and all.
Other clubs are doing exactly what we seem to be doing by haggling & holding off till the last minute to try and secure a bargain, a risky strategy which could backfire big time and mean we could lose out on our first choices. Richer clubs identify a target and pay the money straight away lessening the chances of being undercut.
We still have 3 weeks but that’s hardly ideal with our first game in 12 days and less time to integrate new players into DF’s system.
Was hoping to see another new signing or two in Dublin at the weekend but that’s unlikely now. Hope we’re not going to end up buying last minute players through desperation rather than choice.

[rondownunder]

Any idea why we didn't go after Broja from Chelsea?

[Ellandback1]

If we like El Khannouss and Farke can find use for him then just offer the release clause amount and get contract talks started - can guarantee there will be another club who fronts up and takes him if not - and again the club will be sat wondering what happened

Leeds have already held talks with LCFC and his agent

This whole thing was leaked by a Belgium journo after El Khannouss's agent spoke to Leeds, but that was about 10 days ago. There's always going to be more to it, than simply activating his release clause, but it does seem Leeds have been hesitant this window. Saying that, I think we have spent conservatively!

[Ellandback1]

Morning EB and all.
Other clubs are doing exactly what we seem to be doing by haggling & holding off till the last minute to try and secure a bargain, a risky strategy which could backfire big time and mean we could lose out on our first choices. Richer clubs identify a target and pay the money straight away lessening the chances of being undercut.
We still have 3 weeks but that’s hardly ideal with our first game in 12 days and less time to integrate new players into DF’s system.
Was hoping to see another new signing or two in Dublin at the weekend but that’s unlikely now. Hope we’re not going to end up buying last minute players through desperation rather than choice.

We have spent well. 7 new signings, totally 80m is impressive. It will count for nothing though, if we can't bring top talent in up front.

[Ellandback1]

Any idea why we didn't go after Broja from Chelsea?

That is a great question....

[ruttermania]

Ì think it's unfair to characterise our approach as hesitant when we have signed 7 players who all clearly formed part of an overall plan for a total outlay in the region of £80 m . There was a genuine effort to get Paixao which was always ambitious and admitted to be difficult but the reasons why that didn't work out had nothing to do with being hesitant . in the aftermath of that a lot of players were floated as 'targets' who all seemed mysteriously to be worth in and £30 m but it's hard to know how many of these were genuine . The 2/3 attacking players we need were always going to be harder to get over the line but I have confidence that business will be done in the next few weeks and I for one would prefer a recruitment team who are prepared to stick to their guns on the valuation of players. Solomon , Mitrovic and El Khannous has a certain ring to it ?

[Clitheroe White]

That is one hell of a list!!! : Jack Harrison, Illan Meslier, Ilea Gruev, Patrick Bamford, Karl Darlow, Mateo Joseph, Joe Gelhardt, Isaac Schmidt, Darko Gyabi, and Sam Greenwood. Break down in to categories
Premier league squad players for lower/mid sides (like us) - Harrison, Meslier, Gruev, Darlow, Schmidt
Champo - Joseph, Gelhardt, Gyabi, Greenwood.
The Bamford category (could be epic if only they could stay fit) - Bamford.

First up - some of these players shouldn't leave unless strong offers come in (e.g. Gruev, he's good, Harrison - Proven Premier League player)
Others - None are what I would class as dead ends. I suspect the club are working behind the scenes to make things happen.

I still think a lot will change in the next 3 weeks. I get our desire to have everything done and dusted within the next 12 days but that is unrealistic. Let's review relative transfer success on 1st Sept.

[Clitheroe White]

Ì think it's unfair to characterise our approach as hesitant when we have signed 7 players who all clearly formed part of an overall plan for a total outlay in the region of £80 m . There was a genuine effort to get Paixao which was always ambitious and admitted to be difficult but the reasons why that didn't work out had nothing to do with being hesitant . in the aftermath of that a lot of players were floated as 'targets' who all seemed mysteriously to be worth in and £30 m but it's hard to know how many of these were genuine . The 2/3 attacking players we need were always going to be harder to get over the line but I have confidence that business will be done in the next few weeks and I for one would prefer a recruitment team who are prepared to stick to their guns on the valuation of players. Solomon , Mitrovic and El Khannous has a certain ring to it ?

Well said RM.

BTW - could swap Mitrovic for Hamer - still an interesting trio.

[WhiteRose]

Any idea why we didn't go after Broja from Chelsea?

His record at Everton was terrible and by all accounts he suffers from the old biscuit legs.

[WhiteRose]

Ì think it's unfair to characterise our approach as hesitant when we have signed 7 players who all clearly formed part of an overall plan for a total outlay in the region of £80 m . There was a genuine effort to get Paixao which was always ambitious and admitted to be difficult but the reasons why that didn't work out had nothing to do with being hesitant . in the aftermath of that a lot of players were floated as 'targets' who all seemed mysteriously to be worth in and £30 m but it's hard to know how many of these were genuine . The 2/3 attacking players we need were always going to be harder to get over the line but I have confidence that business will be done in the next few weeks and I for one would prefer a recruitment team who are prepared to stick to their guns on the valuation of players. Solomon , Mitrovic and El Khannous has a certain ring to it ?

Sticking to your guns on player valuation only takes you so far though - as soon as there is serious competition for a signing those valuations need to be adjusted. We are probably playing the waiting game, hoping the dust settles towards the end of the window and competition diminishes somewhat - it’s risky but likely would mean we don’t get dragged in to bidding wars and maybe get some gems in.

[White Lotus]

Ì think it's unfair to characterise our approach as hesitant when we have signed 7 players who all clearly formed part of an overall plan for a total outlay in the region of £80 m . There was a genuine effort to get Paixao which was always ambitious and admitted to be difficult but the reasons why that didn't work out had nothing to do with being hesitant . in the aftermath of that a lot of players were floated as 'targets' who all seemed mysteriously to be worth in and £30 m but it's hard to know how many of these were genuine . The 2/3 attacking players we need were always going to be harder to get over the line but I have confidence that business will be done in the next few weeks and I for one would prefer a recruitment team who are prepared to stick to their guns on the valuation of players. Solomon , Mitrovic and El Khannous has a certain ring to it ?

Yes, correct and well said again.
Farke has now cried out he needs attacking strength, and that what he's currently got just isn't strong enough for the Premier.
Like you say i'm hoping they're doing proper 'due diligence' if you will and not just prepared to throw money around willy nilly like some of our previous non starters when last in the Premier. They know the deadline day, they know Farke has shouted for help, and i have no doubt they're hard at work trying to find as best they can, but we have to understand that the best they can might not want to come here, so they then have to move on and so forth.
We are not the glamour club we used to be, and being relegation favourites it is going to be hard to attract and a hard sell for the team. I think we also need to appreciate that if it starts going to the wire then we could end up scraping the barrel with players that might not even have been a 5th choice at the start of the search.

[JürgenZeGerman]

I feel like our recruitment has been fairly solid, but without the final bits of flair in the attacking department, we'll get relegated with about 20 something points. We won't survive if we lose to top 14 teams and grind out draws against the others (which is where I feel where are at at the moment).

[JürgenZeGerman]

If (and it is a big if) we can sign 3 ballers and cut some of the cr@p then we've had a good window.

[Irish Ian]

player sales

[Clitheroe White]

If (and it is a big if) we can sign 3 ballers and cut some of the cr@p then we've had a good window.

3 ballers please! Easy

Agree that would have been a great window!

[GreennWhite]

Yes, correct and well said again.
Farke has now cried out he needs attacking strength, and that what he's currently got just isn't strong enough for the Premier.
Like you say i'm hoping they're doing proper 'due diligence' if you will and not just prepared to throw money around willy nilly like some of our previous non starters when last in the Premier. They know the deadline day, they know Farke has shouted for help, and i have no doubt they're hard at work trying to find as best they can, but we have to understand that the best they can might not want to come here, so they then have to move on and so forth.
We are not the glamour club we used to be, and being relegation favourites it is going to be hard to attract and a hard sell for the team. I think we also need to appreciate that if it starts going to the wire then we could end up scraping the barrel with players that might not even have been a 5th choice at the start of the search.

The words in your post " THEY MIGHT NOT WANT TO COME HERE " are words that a lot of fans seem to forget about. Just because some jurno or media outlet mentions a name associated with Leeds doesnt mean its bound to happen.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I think this is the first post and first fan I've ever heard complaining about lack of player sales. It's always lack of incomings that we hear complaints about.

I get it from the idea of generating transfer funds. The more we sell the more we have available to spend. And I think it only matters from a PSR perspective. The 49ers have money they're willing to pump in. We just need to generate money to allow us to spend within PSR

That said, there's not a whole lot of funds to be generated from the list. Gruev seems locked in for a squad place. As does Harrison until we sign another LW. Worth remembering Harrison adds cover at LB too where we are certainly one body short. The rest of the list is only likely to leave on loans, frees, or low transfer fees. So I'm not too worried about that side. The onus to sell is on the club and the owners and not really my concern.