Leeds United might have taken a huge step towards signing their replacement for Junior Firpo, who’s set to join Real Betis.
Perhaps the most pressing transfer priority for Daniel Farke after signing a new centre-back in Jaka Bijol, and a new striker in Lukas Nmecha, is signing a new left-back, ahead of Junior Firpo’s Elland Road exit.
Firpo has agreed to join Real Betis on a free transfer this summer. He’ll leave a huge void on the left side of defence and already we have several left-backs linked with Leeds United this summer.
We could yet see more than one left-back arrive in West Yorkshire this summer with the full-back department as a whole quite low on numbers ahead of the club’s return to pre-season training.
But signing someone with the same qualities as Firpo won’t come easily, nor will it come cheap. One potential option who could sign and who likely won’t break the bank though is Lille and Sweden full-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Gabriel Gudmundsson addresses Leeds United transfer rumours
Gudmundsson, 26, featured 30 times in Ligue 1 for Lille last season, scoring twice but claiming no assists as he enters the final year of his contract with the French club. Recent reports have revealed how Leeds United are very interested in signing Gudmundsson this summer, though Farke’s side face competition from Everton in the race to sign the 15-cap Swedish international.
And speaking to Swedish outlet Hallandsposten, Gudmundsson has spoken out on rumours linking him with a move to Elland Road. He said: “I have been at Lille for four years and have one year left on my contract, so it is entirely reasonable that there is speculation. It has gone very well for me so it is no secret that things can happen this summer. I have ambitions to take a step, and we will see what happens.
“I can only say that it is a good team [Leeds United] that plays in the Premier League, a league and a country where I also have an ambition to one day play considering that I grew up watching that league. It’s a league that I appreciate very much.”
Gudmundsson was then asked about online speculation that he’s already visited the Leeds United facilities ahead of a potential move to England. “I can say that much that is not true,” he explained. “I’m on holiday and have spent my two weeks after the national team here at home.
“I was very clear with both Lille and my agent that I am focusing on the national team and then I have a holiday. It is very important for me to be able to switch off completely and be able to recharge for the upcoming season.”
Leeds United in the clear to make a move for Gabriel Gudmundsson
Gudmundsson certainly makes some interesting comments: he’s clearly fond of the Premier League and of the idea of a potential move to England, whilst also suggesting that he thinks Leeds United could be a good option for him.
He also fails to rule out a potential move to the English top flight and so the stage is set for Leeds United to at least make a move for Gudmundsson, when he’s finished his holiday that is. Sweden finished their international friendlies on June 11th, more than two weeks ago at the time of writing.
This summer, Leeds have a £150million transfer budget and with Gudmundsson out of contract next summer, expect him to cost less than £20million, although that’s a purely speculative number as no reliable price tag has yet been reported.
Farke appears to face similar battles in pursuit of other left-back targets, too. Hugo Bueno is wanted by Leeds and Feyenoord whilst Kostas Tsimikas looks set to have offers from across Europe ahead of his Liverpool exit.
But with Gudmundsson opening the door on a potential Premier League move, and on a potential move to Leeds United, Farke has every reason to go full speed ahead with a potential deal for the Swede.
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