Leeds United face Tottenham Hotspur today, with Pascal Struijk facing a club who have had previous interest in his services.
Leeds United retained their Dutch vice captain centre-back but there were concerns all summer regarding Pascal Struijk’s Leeds future and whether he would remain after more than seven years at Elland Road.
Struijk then bossed the Leeds game against Everton although Daniel Farke was critical of Struijk against Arsenal, albeit indirectly post-match. He remained post-deadline, along with other assets like Willy Gnonto.
The noise was apparent all summer, though. Beren Cross explained the Struijk PSR complexities as well, with the noise regarding his personal situation simply not going away all the way up until the deadline.
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Pascal Struijk’s view of the most surprising thing at Leeds
Struijk was linked to PSV Eindhoven, despite coming through the ranks at Ajax before joining Leeds in January 2018. Then, it was said that that Villarreal were in the race to sign Struijk.
For the longest time, both Struijk and Gnonto were earmarked as PSR sales. Following Patrick Bamford leaving the club, Struijk is one of the longest-serving players alongside Illan Meslier.
At this stage of his career with Leeds, there is a real connection to the city and fanbase for Struijk. The 26-year-old was only 18 when he arrived and is just a few months away from eight years in West Yorkshire.
Speaking to Premier League Productions’ Welcome to the Weekend ahead of today’s game against Spurs, Struijk was asked: “What shocked you most about Leeds as a city when you first arrived?”
He spoke of his admiration for the club’s supporters, responding: “How passionate the fans were. I came here not knowing too much; that is being honest.
“But it didn’t take me long to realise what it takes for all these fans, and the people who live here, and all the people around the world. And how big of a club it is.”
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Pascal Struijk’s view following the long-term interest from Tottenham
It was said that Struijk was a target for Spurs during the 2025 January transfer window, but nothing materialised. Despite that, his Leeds future is unclear long-term.
Given Struijk’s contract situation at Leeds, Spurs could look again. Even if he is playing regularly, there are no guarantees that he will sign a new deal beyond its expiry in 2027. Farke hailed Struijk a ‘colossus’ after the Everton game at Elland Road.
Farke hailed Struijk a ‘colossus’ after the Everton game at Elland Road. That is high praise, but it doesn’t guarantee that he will stay, either.
Then, there is the fact Struijk admitted that there was interest in his services recently. It seems he came close to leaving in the recent window as well. He said: “I never doubted I wasn’t going to be at Leeds because I’m still under contract.
“There was some stuff I had personally, some interest. For me, to play in the Premier League with Leeds, I wanted to do it again.”
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