 Leeds have today announced the signing of midfielder Lewis Baker.
Baker joins on a season long loan from Premiership side Chelsea, where he has only made one appearance. The talented midfielder is a diamond in the making, having impressed during spells in Holland with Vitesse, picking up the League cup in 2017. Known for the goals he brings from midfield, Baker has represented England at several youth levels scoring an impressive 9 goals in 14 games for the under 17 side and 8 goals in 17 appearances for England’s Under 21 side. The 23 year old picked up the Golden Boot during the 2016 Toulon Tournament, scoring in the 2-1 win over France in the final. Although Baker has initially joined the club on loan, Leeds are said to have opened negotiations with Chelsea for a permanent transfer, an option that may remain on the table. However, there is no discernible agreed fee in the loan contract. Skilful, quick on the ball and able to add goals to a Leeds squad in dire need of finishers, Baker could soon be a fan favourite with his ability and willingness to take the game into his own hands. For a long time the club have suffered with poor loan deals for average players, this is not the case when it comes to Baker in what could well become one of the signings of the season. Are you excited by the signing of Baker? Would you have preferred the deal to be a permanent one? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham
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 Leeds United could be set to veto moves for Stockdale and Gunn in favour of another keeper.
Chelsea’s Jamal Blackman was spotted at Leeds’ training facility Thorp Arch yesterday and with the addition of his fellow academy graduate Lewis Baker to the Whites, he could be the next to join. Blackman, a 24-year old stopper who is yet to make an appearance for his boyhood club but does look likely to make a loan switch this summer. The young stopper spent last season on loan at Championship surprise packages Sheffield United, who sprang to a 10th placed finish having been in playoff contention up until the final third of the season. Although Leeds currently have youngster Bailey Peacock-Farrell between the sticks, it’s believed the club are actively looking for a second keeper to heat up the race for the number one spot. Standing at an incredible 6’6, Blackman is able to command the area and is seen as a future England keeper, should he be able to join the ranks of Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope. A cost effective and simple addition, Blackman could be exactly what Leeds need to improve their current corps of keeper. Do you think Blackman would be a good addition? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  With Leeds continuing with their long term recruitment plan, Arsenal’s decision to allow Marc Bola to leave the club could be a masterstroke.
The talented defender is now a free agent and will have a host of teams tracking his movement as he searches for a new club and Leeds should be one of them. Bola, who spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers was praised for his emerging talents, making over 23 appearances in League One. The defender was heralded for his performance against Fulham’s Championship Player of the Year Ryan Sessegnon in which he took up the right back position and marshalled the talented winger throughout his game as Bristol won the game 1-0. Bola’s ability to occupy any position across defence including against his natural left foot at right back would give Leeds versatility while keeping the squad smaller than usual, a plan Andrea Radrizanni has highlighted. With no current club but a very bright future, Bola could be the perfect option to sign on a long deal with very little financial stress and allow for the player to grow. Even if Bola doesn’t make an immediate impact, the chance for the former Arsenal trainee to continue improving at Leeds should be a perfect deal for the club. By Ryan Ingham  With Leeds United currently in the market for attacking options, could Dieumerci Mbokani be a reliable target?
The combative striker is set to end his five year stint with Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv when his contract expires at the end of June. The Congolese international has a strong experience of the English leagues having had stints with both Norwich and Hull City during the past two years and is known for his prolific ability to bag a chance. Prior to his £11million move to Kyiv, Mbokani was prolific in the Belgian League for Anderlecht in which he scored 48 goals in 79 appearances, including 16 assists. The combative striker then continued his form with 31 goals and 14 assists in 77 appearances for Kyiv. Most recently, Mbokani scored 12 goals in 29 appearances this season. Mbokani could be a talented option in the Championship in which his strength and pace will be able challenge the best defenders in the league and will bolster Leeds’ currently inexperienced forward line. With the departure of the un-prolific Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Leeds are lacking any strength in their forwards and will need varied options in a new look Marcelo Bielsa side. The prospect of signing such a talented forward for free should entice a Leeds board who are operating on a small transfer budget. Could Mbokani be a strong option for Leeds? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Could Leeds United bring Diego Capel’s career out of the cold?
The former Sporting Lisbon winger has been without a club since leaving Belgian giants Anderlecht and could be a bargain signing in a summer transfer window Leeds will be holding the purse strings. Blessed with incredible pace and skill, Capel could be a valuable option as Leeds look to improve their wingers while also gaining some versatility being able to play on both sides capably. The 30-year old could replace the current crop of failing wingers at Leeds, with the likes of Hadi Sacko, Pawel Cibicki and Stuart Dallas likely to be shipped out during the summer. With Capel, Leeds would gain a very experienced winger who still has plenty in the tank. The former Sevilla, Sporting and Genoa midfielder has made over 40 Europa League performances and has played in 14 Champions League games, along with with two caps for Spain. Available on a free transfer and with no need for a work permit under current regulations, Leeds could sign a very good player with little risk and plenty of reward. Over the past two years, Capel has been linked with moves to Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham, surely he’s worth a go. Would you like Capel to join the Whites? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Leeds United look set to announce their first signing of the summer and it’s not for the first team.
The club have been in negotiations to secure the services of Joshveer Shergill on a permanent transfer, having been impressed with the youngsters abilities. Shergill, a 16-year old prodigy with a lot of interest from around the UK was released by West Brom earlier in the summer and looked set to sign terms with League One side Walsall. However, Leeds are now set to buy the youngster out of his contract for a fee in the region of £25k and have added a potential sell on clause to appease the club. Shergill, a left back with pace, power and skill is set to join up with the club with an announcement on the deal said to happen at any time. With Leeds continuing to bolster their youth ranks, it could be said that the club are hoping for some diamonds in the rough to join Bielsa’s squad in the summer to bolster the numbers. Are you excited about the potential signing of Shergill? Or is this just another waste of time and effort as Leeds focus on the wrong squad? By Ryan Ingham  Leeds United have allowed Felix Wiedwald a way out of his nightmare spell in England.
The player had interest from German side Eintracht Frankfurt, who have now taken the stopper on a three year deal. Wiedwald is said to have been growing increasingly frustrated at his situation at Leeds and the fact he was used as a scapegoat after some lousy Leeds performances. It’s hard to sympathise with the German stopper, who’s error prone ways have now been pushed out for the young and home grown Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Wiedwald, a £500k signing from German side Werder Bremen does look like Leeds got what they paid for, an average keeper for a below average fee. Both parties have now severed all ties with a move to Frankfurt on the cards, where Wiedwald will be understudy once again to Frederik Rönnow. Wiedwald spent two years at Frankfurt during the 2013-2015 seasons and could see this as a potential career saving opportunity. Are you happy to see Wiedwald leave the club? Or would you prefer the stopper to be given a second chance to prove himself? By Ryan Ingham  Leeds United could be set to make their first South American signing under new head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa is said to have more pull this summer as he looks to build a squad along with the help of Victor Orta. One player the Argentine has targeted is Tottenham centre back Juan Foyth on a potential season long loan. Foyth joined Spurs last summer for a fee of £11.7million from Argentine side Estudiantes but has found chances hard to come by having only featured in eight games across all competitions. The 20-year old could be allowed to leave Spurs should a suitable loan option become available and with Mauricio Pochettino being an admirer of Bielsa’s work, a deal could be agreed in quick fashion. Foyth is a tall and dominating centre back who can also fill in at full back when called upon and could be the perfect fit when it comes to Bielsa’s 3-3-1-3 formation. Whether a deal is struck or not, it looks like Leeds are happy for Bielsa to use his footballing connections to secure players for the summer, a move that could be a master stroke. Would you like Foyth to join Leeds? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham |
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January 2019
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