Leeds United transfers: Everton and Sunderland 'ready to battle' for Whites target
The latest transfer talk from Elland Road as Leeds United look to add to their squad during the final weeks of the January transfer window.
Leeds United are reportedly facing competition from three Premier League rivals for one long-standing transfer target facing a major decision over his future.
The Whites kicked off their January transfer window business last week when they completed the loan signing of Brighton and Hove Albion attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte after a similar spell with Chelsea was cut short. The Argentina international was named on the bench and remained as an unused substitute in Saturday’s late win against Fulham and will now hope to make his debut when Daniel Farke’s men face Everton next Monday night.
There was an outgoing deal confirmed on Monday as Whites winger Jack Harrison joined Fiorentina on loan and that could become a permanent deal during the summer. There is a hope further new faces could arrive during the final fortnight of the transfer window and Leeds have been named as a suitor for Fulham star Harry Wilson just days after he suffered a late defeat at Elland Road.
TeamTalk have claimed Leeds are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the Wales international’s current contract situation as he approaches the final months of his deal at Craven Cottage. The report claims Everton are ‘ready to battle’ the Whites and fellow Premier League clubs Sunderland and Nottingham Forest in the race to sign Wilson - although Fulham boss Marco Silva has stressed he wants a new deal ‘sorted in a different way and quicker’ rather than losing the attacking midfielder on a free transfer this summer.
Speaking last month, the Cottagers boss said: “I don't have any doubt right now if you ask me that Harry Wilson is going to be with us until the end of the season, at least, let's hope for more. Harry Wilson is very focused in his season, not just in our football club. With his country as well, the way he's performing there, the way he's performing with us. A top professional is not going to disrupt at all his season. Of course, we want (the contract) to be sorted in a different way and quicker. Sometimes it's not so easy. I would prefer myself as a manager. That's what it is. Or like Harry Wilson would prefer as a football player.”
Former Whites hero reveals Gray talks
Leeds United prospect Harry Gray made his debut for Rotherham United in a 3-2 defeat against Stockport County on Saturday just says after joining the League One club on loan.
The striker is highly rated within the Whites hierarchy and there are high hopes he will be able to challenge for a regular place in Daniel Farke’s first-team squad next season. Leeds staff will closely monitor Gray’s progress during his time with the Millers - and one former Elland Road favourite has also revealed he has been given the youngster some advice.
Speaking to Justin Allen, the former Whites striker said of Gray: “He texted me the other day before he went on loan, asking my thoughts. I spent about half an hour going through the options, positives and negatives, and just sent him a message of what my thoughts were and what was best for him. Obviously it’s nice to be asked these things. The fact he leant on me for a little bit of advice - I don’t want to say it's an ego boost, but that my opinion counts. If I can help him in any way, I will.”
“The best thing is playing men’s football. I remember all the fuss about him when he was 14 or 15. I went to watch an Under-23s game at the training ground, and I went purely just to watch him because I hadn’t seen him play yet. I saw what he was about straight away. It’s going to be good for him, he’s going to learn a lot. He’s got a lot of potential and can take it as far as he wants.”
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