Agent of Leeds United player hints at summer transfer with 2026 World Cup goal and 'top priority'
The summer 2024 signing was used sparingly by Leeds United manager Daniel Farke last season.
The agent of Leeds United defender Isaac Schmidt has opened the door to a potential transfer this summer, suggesting regular football is needed ahead of Switzerland’s likely participation in the 2026 World Cup.
Schmidt only joined Leeds 10 months ago as a late summer 2024 addition, following the agreement of a £2.5million fee with Swiss outfit St. Gallen. The 24-year-old was labelled a ‘young and interesting’ signing by manager Daniel Farke, who used the versatile full-back sparingly - and as more of an attacking player than anything.
Leeds officially waved goodbye to Junior Firpo on Tuesday and while a contract offer is on the table for Sam Byram, his future remains uncertain, leaving Jayden Bogle and Schmidt as the only current full-backs. But Elland Road chiefs are expected to strengthen in that area and a starting berth for the latter is unlikely to materialise.
Schmidt did make significant steps forward on the international stage last season, however, with a Switzerland debut coming against Northern Ireland in March. And his agent Baykal Bellusci has recently suggested that focus will be on playing enough football next season to secure a ticket to the United States, Canada and Mexico in a year’s time.
“Isaac played as a left-back for a long time, and we discussed with the club [St. Gallen] that there was a larger market for the right-back position,” he told Swiss newspaper Blick. “The decision to switch Isaac to the right led to the transfer [to Leeds] and his call-up to the national team.
“He has developed, matured as a player, and proven himself with the national team. In a World Cup year, the top priority shouldn’t be to focus on finances. Instead, it’s all about one thing: Where can I play the most games to prove myself? I’m convinced we’ll find a very good solution for him this summer.”
Could Isaac Schmidt leave Leeds United this summer?
It is unlikely the answer to that above question will be Elland Road, although a desire to move from a player - or in this instance, their agent - does not guarantee a move away. Schmidt signed a four-year deal upon arriving in West Yorkshire last year and with such little current depth at full-back, Leeds might be minded to keep what they’ve got.
Recruitment chiefs are in the market for reinforcements at full-back, however, with Lille’s Swedish international Gabriel Gudmundsson a known target. The YEP broke news of interest in the 26-year-old last month and he remains on Leeds’ radar, albeit there is nothing imminent on that front.
At right-back, Schmidt’s most natural position, Bogle has cemented his status as first-choice after an excellent debut campaign, while incoming centre-back signing Sebastiaan Bornauw can also play wider. Byram still has an offer of fresh terms on the table, although he is yet to sign anything and has officially become a free agent as of today.