Leeds United

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham are ready to sell or loan winger Manor Solomon before the transfer window closes next Friday.

The Israel international, 25, has seen his progress at Spurs hampered by a meniscus injury and he has not played for Ange Postecoglou's side since September 2023.

Getafe have made an approach to sign Solomon while Leeds are known to be among the clubs interested in taking him on loan.

Postecoglou has strengthened his attack this summer by signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth and Wilson Odobert from Burnley.

Youngsters Will Lankshear and Mikey Moore have also been promoted to the first team, leaving little room for Solomon to play.

On the latest episode of the My Mate's A Footballer podcast on BBC Sounds, Leeds striker Patrick Bamford spoke on the club's ambitions for the 2024-25 season.

"After last year, I think everyone knows that we have to do it [win promotion]," said Bamford. "We feel like there's more impetus for us to do it.

"Every time that I've been in a team when we haven't gone up, we've done it the next year. Hopefully that's a good omen!"

On player departures this summer, he added: "Especially with Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper, the older heads in the group, losing them was a big thing. Our group is a young group and you do need that experience.

"The players we've signed have to be a good fit. We've signed Joe Rothwell who is a really good guy who's fitted in well."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United are closing in on a deal to sign Almeria's Largie Ramazani.

The 23-year-old winger is a Belgium Under-21 international, formerly of Manchester United.

BBC Sport understands Ramazani flew into Leeds from Seville on Wednesday for a medical.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before his side's Championship match at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday (20:00 BST).

Here are the main headlines from his news conference:

• Defender Max Wober is a doubt for Friday's game with a calf problem but Farke reported no other injuries.

• As if he is surprised at the situation the club finds itself in at this stage of the window, Farke said: "If you'd asked me a year ago, yes in a good way. Because the value of Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter has increased so much, or Glen Kamara who was out of favour at Rangers. We had to stick to the rules, we knew this after not being promoted. We needed some earnings. Our hands were tied with the exit clauses."

• He continued: "We're working now for a few weeks to find good and affordable solutions. It's on the table, what we want to do. As a manager you want to get things done sooner rather than later. We know what is necessary and I'm used to working with limited resources. I'm not crying here saying 'make my life easier'. I know we will need to play the next game without new signings. Right now, we have a maximum of one, perhaps two, games without the support of new signings."

• On captain Ethan Ampadu saying he hoped "big characters" were coming into the club: said: "We have a very young group and among the smallest numbers in the whole league. In these 19 first-team players we have a lot of guys who haven't played a lot of matches. Archie was a talent you have once every 30 years, so we can't expect the young players to do this regularly every season. We know we need some experience. Quality is the main topic, then the character of the player, then experienced lads around. I'm grateful we have a few experienced players by age, like Bamford, Byram and Rothwell. We need quality, personality and a bit of experience in a few positions."

• Asked if it would help if the club's owners said something about the transfer situation: "I'm the face of a club and I have to speak for the club. My topic is to defend the club, it's always the same. Everyone is blaming us and this moment you have to stick together as Leeds United - us against the world. I'm here to bring the stability and adapt to the reality. Everyone knows what we have to do to be competitive... I'm the first one who is demanding quality but in my role, to be there for the club like a shield."

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

The list of players linked with a potential move to Leeds United continues to grow, as the sands of time disappear on the summer transfer window.

Leeds are looking at Burnley winger Manuel Benson along with FC Koln midfielder Dejan Ljubicic to name just two.

But the clock is ticking and so is the mind of a Leeds United captain who is being careful to not give too much away.

"Not enough to be telling you guys," joked Ethan Ampadu, when asked by BBC Radio Leeds about how much he is being kept in the loop regarding incoming transfers.

"Look, in any transfer window there are going to be incomings and outgoings and - whilst there is still time left - there is time for things to be done."

Ampadu has the responsibility of galvanising his team-mates who have seen last season's most creative talents sold to the Premier League in Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.

He added: "They added a lot of goals and assists last year so, without beating about the bush, you are going to miss that. But, if you look at our team, it is still very capable of achieving good things.

"We have a lot of belief and there is also a lot of potential we haven't unlocked yet, which is quite exciting."

Ampadu believes their upcoming visit to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday should produce more fireworks compared to the drab goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion.

He said: "A feisty derby is a good atmosphere to play in. It could be a tough game but we are working hard to hopefully not have a repeat of last week."

Plus the need to come away with all three points is not lost on the Wales international: "It would be massive. That first win always helps to settle things."

He is not wrong. The clamour for a new face or two from the supporters may not be satiated by then, but a convincing performance going into the final week of the transfer window would help to calm the unrest - well, maybe for a day or so.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Leeds' summer transfer business, after Georginio Rutter became the latest big-name exit from Elland Road.

Here are some of your comments:

Graham: The need for four or five quality new players in the squad is obvious. Without that has proven with the results so far we will be a mid-table team this season. You can't lose your best players from last season and still expect to be able to challenge for promotion. If we don't get it right now then there'll be repercussions for years.

Trevor: We have lost more than several top players, watching the West Brom game, we have lost unity, cohesion and impetus. We played like a League Two team trying to gain a goalless draw in an away cup match against better opposition. Without immediate first-team signings soon we cannot expect to compete for promotion this season and more players will leave us.

Ed: At the next home game all the fans should avoid attendance. This would show the club how fed up we all are regarding the poor performance the club are pursuing in the transfer market.

James: I thought it would be a stable transfer window, but the last two weeks with Summerville and Rutter going has been devastating. Hope we sign at least four players before window shuts.

Neil: Leeds spent the best part of a decade as an average Championship team. Too good to be relegated, never threatening promotion. There are tell-tale signs of this repeating itself. Sell assets, blame the finances, previous owners and then make do with either last-minute purchases at a premium or rejects from more stable clubs. Minimal strategy.

Michael: After losing the play-off final I think we all knew players would leave. It's the perceived lack of forward planning that is frustrating. It's like plan A was promotion, but when that didn't happen there was no plan B. Replacements should have been identified before any were sold.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

"To our supporters at Leeds - just know - this is my lifeblood, this is my wheelhouse, I've negotiated contracts in my sleep," Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe said in his official club interview a little over a year ago.

Since then, Leeds fans have endured two summers of contract clauses that have seen the squad decimated. A loan exodus last year saw players refuse to play and left manager Daniel Farke not knowing who was staying or going. This summer has been no less chaotic.

Experienced players Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Glen Kamara have been sold or let go. Young players Charlie Cresswell, Cody Drameh, and Sam Greenwood - gone. Squad players Jamie Shackleton and Ian Poveda left. Loanees Jaidon Anthony and Connor Roberts have not returned.

When Archie Gray - a last name synonymous with Leeds – was sold, United said in a statement on their website: "The move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad."

It has been a month since the last incoming transfer and rather than building a "competitive squad" Leeds have instead lost players - Crysencio Summerville to West Ham and Georginio Rutter to Brighton.

Two players sold after contract clauses were triggered. Two players who totalled over 50 goal involvements for Leeds last season. After Rutter's sale, the Whites will have recouped about £8m more in sales than the rest of the Championship combined.

"We would need cover in the full-back position, we definitely need a midfield player, we would definitely need two offensive players," Farke admitted in his post-West Brom news conference on Saturday.

No incoming transfers, no statement from the chairman. Along with fans' patience, time is running out for Leeds to build a competitive squad.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds fans, how are you feeling about this summer's business? What would you like to see happen before the end of the window?

Let us know here, external

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix discussed Saturday's draw with West Bromwich Albion and the impact that departures of key players this summer from the club will have.

Buchan said: "I think Archie [Gray] was always going to go this summer - we could read into that with his body language in that final home game of the season and his reaction at Wembley.

"[Crysencio] Summerville was always going to go, Georgi [Rutter] is rubbing some salt in the wounds with him going, but of all the players that Leeds can sell and get the maximum amount of money, he is one of those.

"My thoughts now over these next days is how that impacts the rest of the squad - what is Wilfried Gnonto thinking now? What is Illan Meslier thinking now?

"I feel for Jayden Bogle, I feel for Joe Rodon, who came to the club thinking 'top-two push' and it could still well be a top-two push, but they're now seeing star players leaving the club.

"When you boil it down - Leeds have lost one of the best generational talents they've ever had, they've lost the best player in the league last season and now the player everyone loves to watch the most.

"That is a pretty dire situation for fans to have to get their heads around."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

In the latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix joins Adam Pope and Jonny Buchan to assess the mood around Elland Road after an uninspiring goalless draw at West Brom.

They also discuss last week's exit of Georginio Rutter with the transfer window set to close in less than a fortnight.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds boss Daniel Farke told the media that Georginio Rutter "said goodbye" to his team-mates and the coaching staff this morning.

The forward is set to leave imminently after Brighton activated a £40m release clause.

"I expect that he will leave," said Farke. "It is not in our hands anymore. The news came while we were preparing for the game yesterday afternoon.

"This morning was pretty emotional because he said goodbye. I can't confirm anything yet because he hasn't officially signed but it was emotional with all of his team-mates.

"I expect it to be confirmed in the next 24-48 hours, so I am pretty sure we will be without him for our next matchday."

Watch Farke's full response to the departure of Rutter here, external

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Leeds United's trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from a news conference dominated by the future of Georginio Rutter and the net effect of his impending £40m sale to Brighton:

• Farke said he expects Rutter to leave the club. There is nothing confirmed yet but it has been an emotional day at the training ground with the player saying his goodbyes to staff and players: "I expect he will leave. It's not in our hands anymore."

• The Leeds boss added: "The news came out in the afternoon during our prep for the game [at Middlesbrough]. Georgi was aware. I was aware. The players too. [It has been] difficult. Fair play to Georgi for not ruling himself out. He asked to sleep on it overnight and wanted to help us."

• Given Brighton have met a release clause written into Rutter's contract, Farke is not blaming the board for the sale: "We tried to convince him, but we must stick to what was signed in the past. Nothing to do with our current owners or chairman."

• However, he is unhappy about the situation Leeds find themselves in with regards to player exits and contracts, and reiterated his and the board's ambition to return to the Premier League. He stressed the chairman Paraag Marathe and recruitment staff are being as proactive and ambitious as possible.

• On whether Leeds are, as Marathe said they would be, in a position to compete with the best in the league: "It is normal for the players to wonder what is going on. Right now, we still have a really good squad, but we need to rebuild on some key positions. We know we are not there with the strength anymore as a big favourite."

• Despite that, he still agrees with his chairman: "It's true what Paraag said. I feel backed. He is responsible for bringing good commercial deals like Red Bull [and] changed our philosophy on running this club. There will not be crazy clauses like this in the future."

• Farke added: "Nobody is more sad than Paraag. He did not run the club to be there with the biggest bank account - he wants to bring this club back to where it belongs. He is ambitious but sticks to the rules."

• The Leeds boss also said Marathe has done his utmost to keep hold of key players: "He is totally respectful of contracts and the legal point of view [but] he was the first one to fight to convince Georgi. It is an open secret we have rejected offers of big money for other players. [Marathe] said, 'We don't want the money - we want the best squad' but the clause ties his hands."

• On whether Leeds remain realistic contenders for promotion: "Maybe we don't have the tag as favourites now, but I believe in hard work. I made no secret we need a few positions to strengthen [and] even more when a player like Rutter goes."

• A short line on team news: Defender Max Wober (calf) is the only injury worry for the trip to the Hawthorns.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

On the latest episode of BBC Sounds' My Mate's A Footballer, Leeds striker Patrick Bamford has been talking to comedian Joe Wilkinson about how to get in the head of football players.

From Raheem Sterling getting in Bamford's head, to playing against his best friend and to shouting 'megs' in training, you can listen to more on the dark arts in the latest episode.

He also talks about the time Leeds let Aston Villa score a goal at Elland Road after a contentious moment helped put Leeds in front.

"Marcelo [Bielsa] was like 'give them the goal.' It was strange. It did cause absolute carnage," said Bamford.

"Their player was down and the ball got played to Tyler Roberts and everyone kind of half stopped. Tyler then played it through to [Mateusz] Klich who dribbled through and scored.

"There was then a scuffle and I ended up getting suspended for being an idiot."

Find out who Bamford says is the funniest player he's played with by taking in the show.

Listen to the full episode here

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United supporters were stepping through their front doors on Wednesday night trying to erase the nightmare of the worst home performance under manager Daniel Farke, only to learn that the club's most talented remaining player could be on his way to the Premier League.

If the manner of the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Middlesbrough triggered a maelstrom of emotions as fans went apoplectic, they were sent berserk on the stroke of midnight with news of Brighton activating a £40m release clause in the contract of forward Georginio Rutter right on deadline.

In isolation, the money makes a sound business return for a player who commanded a huge price in a deal worth up to £35m when brought in to try to rescue United's Premier League status in January 2023. Within six months he looked a little bit broken at Elland Road, before finding his mercurial feet under Farke and taking the Championship by storm with his unique style and ability to create, if not finish.

But - and it is a big "but" - with Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville already sold, United supporters are asking what is the board's transfer strategy to rescue a window in which another asset could leave due to a clause in his contract. With a fortnight left in the market, and the message recently from Farke that there is no panic, the club must have contingencies in place to keep his squad immediately competitive.

The recruitment team, with Celtic's former head of football operations Nick Hammond as advisor, has had two decent windows in the past year as San Francisco 49ers Enterprises have taken full charge of the club.

Farke took full responsibility for the performance against Boro, after making eight changes to his starting line-up. It is up to others at the club now to ensure that his alternatives are better come 1 September.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds