Leeds United loan hero wants permanent transfer as Chelsea target terminates contract

Leeds United continue their pre-season tour of the US against Sunderland tomorrow night while off-pitch transfer work intensifies. The Whites continue to progress a club-record £40million deal for James Trafford with the aim of making him their third summer arrival.

Free agent Harry Wilson made his unofficial debut against Wrexham last weekend and £34m centre-back Tarik Muharemovic could soon follow. Should Trafford get over the line, Leeds will have filled their three priority positions with top targets in each area of the pitch.

It’s been an exciting summer so far in West Yorkshire but many of Leeds’ Premier League rivals have also been busy. Below, the YEP rounds up some of the latest transfer news including a report on the future of a 2024/25 Championship promotion hero.

Manor Solomon wants Spurs exit

Former on-loan Leeds winger Manor Solomon is reportedly keen to leave Tottenham Hotspur permanently this summer. The Daily Mail report recently-relegated West Ham United are interested in the Israel international who could, like he did at Elland Road, replace the outgoing Crysencio Summerville.

Solomon joined Leeds on loan in the summer of 2024 following Summerville’s £28m move to the Hammers, registering 10 goals and 13 assists including an added-time, title-sealing winner at Plymouth Argyle on the final day. The Whites opted against a reunion for the 2025/26 campaign while loan spells at Villarreal and Fiorentina were underwhelming.

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Despite featuring in all three pre-season games under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, Solomon is keen to find a more permanent home away from North London. Spurs are expected to be open to a sale as they look to recoup some funds following an expensive summer already.

Ipswich sign Leeds-linked goalkeeper

Ipswich Town have confirmed the signing of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen on a four-year contract in a deal believed to be worth around £11m. The colossal shot-stopper was briefly linked with Leeds but the YEP understands while he was known to Elland Road recruitment chiefs, there was never an active pursuit.

Scherpen will become the tallest player in Premier League history at 6ft 9ins, his towering frame contributing to an impressive campaign in Belgium. The Dutch Under-21 international kept 21 clean sheets in 43 appearances last season.

“This is a great opportunity for me to show my qualities and test myself in the best league in the world, so I’m really looking forward to making memories together,” Scherpen said. “I’ve had great conversations and everything here has been really positive, so it’s made me very excited to join Ipswich Town.”

Henderson’s Brentford exit confirmed

Experienced midfielder Jordan Henderson has left Brentford by mutual consent amid surprise interest from Chelsea. Stamford Bridge emerged as a shock destination for the 36-year-old earlier this week with new head coach Xabi Alonso keen to bring in some Premier League experience.

Henderson addressed the decision to leave Brentford directly, insisting he felt ‘a lot of gratitude for the opportunity the club gave me’ in signing him last summer. The midfielder signed a two-year contract that has effectively been ripped up 12 months early as talks progress with Chelsea.

Should Henderson sign for the London club, he will join another hugely experienced England international with Danny Welbeck’s move from Brighton all but confirmed. The two transfers are evidence of a major transfer policy shake-up at Stamford Bridge.