Leeds United transfer state of play with trio of ongoing possibilities and truth on freshly-linked pair
The latest on Leeds United’s transfer activity as the squad prepare to fly to the USA.
Leeds United have a trio of known ongoing potential transfer deals as they prepare to decamp to the United States of America this week.
Daniel Farke's senior squad will fly out later this week to begin their pre-season training camp and take part in three Stateside friendlies. The Whites face Wrexham in Tampa in the early hours of Sunday morning, before games against Sunderland and Liverpool in New Jersey and Chicago respectively. Players involved in the World Cup will rejoin their team-mates in pre-season as their FIFA-mandated three-week post-tournament breaks come to a close. New boy Tarik Muharemovic, for example, has resumed his holiday after interrupting it to complete his move to Elland Road on Thursday and Friday of last week.
One of three players Leeds are currently tracking in ongoing transfer pursuits is also now on his three-week break from football. James Trafford was part of the England squad that finished third in the World Cup. The Manchester City goalkeeper could secure a move away from the Etihad this summer and Leeds are in the conversation. The YEP understands there is currently no active pursuit when it comes to another goalkeeper the Whites have been linked with - Royal Union Saint-Gilloise star Kjell Scherpen - but he is a player they're well aware of.
Julian Brandt, who is a free agent this summer with his Borussia Dortmund contract coming to an end, remains a player Leeds are keen to bring to Elland Road. As reported last week by the YEP, the attacking midfielder's father Jurgen was at Thorp Arch for talks. Leeds are not the only club attempting to land the 30-year-old's signature.
Reports have emerged that Leeds are in talks with French side Lyon for Czech attacker Pavel Sulc but the YEP understands the situation is similar to Scherpen. As it stands Leeds are not actively pursuing a deal but that could change if other transfer business does not materialise.
And the one potential deal that has best earned the title of 'transfer saga' this summer remains Leeds' attempt to prise central midfielder Shea Charles from Southampton. Multiple reports of a deal being close or even agreed have all been wayward. It remains the case that Leeds are hopeful of striking an agreement with Saints, whose valuation of the 22-year-old has not matched that set by Elland Road chiefs, but the current stalemate is yet to be broken.
Last summer Leeds were able to complete transfer deals while their pre-season training camp was taking place. Lucas Perri and Anton Stach joined up with Farke's squad after finalising their moves from Lyon and Hoffenheim, with members of the club's hierarchy and admin staff flying out to Germany to help things progress to completion. The Whites have also used local medical facilities while on their travels to ensure medicals can take place.