Paraag Marathe claimed when 49ers Enterprises first completed their takeover of Leeds United that negotiating is what he does in his sleep.
Due the amount of interest in so many of Leeds‘ players this summer, it would be fair to say that is about to be put to the test.
So far, Leeds have shown a side to them that has not been there in previous years by shifting much of the deadwood in Daniel Farke‘s squad. 12 players have already left, and Glen Kamara is close to becoming number 13.
However, given the message that has been portrayed regarding Leeds’ PSR situation since Archie Gray’s £40 million sale to Tottenham, the 49ers are about to face their biggest task yet.
Junior Firpo, Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Rasmus Kristensen and in all likelihood more are the subject of strong interest right now, and it is up to the 49ers to get the right fees so it can be reinvested. If they fail, another year in the Championship awaits.
49ers could be about to pull off a Rasmus Kristensen masterstroke
In terms of Leeds’ ability to get decent fees for players this summer, it has been a bit of a mixed bag. Gray became the most expensive English teenager of all time in joining Spurs, so it is hard not to consider that good business.
Nearly £4 million for a defender who barely played last season in Charlie Cresswell is solid, and turning a profit on Kamara just a year after his move from Rangers is also decent enough.
On the other hand, getting less than £7 million combined for both Marc Roca and Diego Llorente was disappointing, though Leeds were clearly happy to get both off the books.
Having said all that, if the latest reports on Rasmus Kristensen are true, then Leeds could be about to pull off their best bit of business all summer – in or out.
Leeds are reportedly commanding a fee of £12.6 million to sell the right-back, with Eintracht Frankfurt interested in reuniting him with Robin Koch.
At this stage, of course, Frankfurt have not yet agreed to meet that valuation, but talks are ongoing and if a deal can be struck in that region it would be a masterstroke.
Leeds paid £10 million to sign him in 2022 and after such a dismal two years at Elland Road and then AS Roma, he has done nothing to justify turning a profit. Hopefully it gets done.
- READ MORE: How Jayden Bogle and his agent feel about leaving Sheffield United as Leeds see two bids rejected
What is Kristensen’s stance on a move?
Ever since Brenden Aaronson’s decision to return to Leeds, the spotlight has been on both Kristensen and Max Wober’s futures.
Daniel Farke has been giving consideration to bringing both back but reports are suggesting Kristensen is indeed keen on getting a move to Frankfurt over the line.
The Denmark international is close to a verbal agreement on personal terms, and is now just waiting for the two clubs to follow.
It will be interesting to see if he returns to Thorp Arch at all for pre-season after this latest update, as he is due back at any moment.
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