£2.5m player handed start in crucial European fixture despite being in advanced talks to join Leeds United

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Leeds United are on the verge of completing another two new signings.

The Whites have enjoyed a busy last few days bringing in both Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon but their transfer activity is not expected to stop there.

Daniel Farke outlined his wish for three more additions in his pre-Hull City press conference earlier today and it already appears as though they are two thirds of the way there.

A new attack-minded number eight with the ability to score goals was top of the agenda and Fortuna Dusseldorf’s Ao Tanaka is set to fill that void, having undergone a medical today.

Cover at full-back for both Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo is also an area Farke has been determined to strengthen and FC St Gallen’s Isaac Schmidt is the chosen one.

• READ MORE: Talks ongoing for £7.6m attacker as Ao Tanaka arrives at Thorp Arch ahead of Leeds United move

Isaac Schmidt handed start for FC St Gallen amid Leeds move

Leeds had been heavily linked with moves for both Max Aarons and Owen Wijndal over the last week but for one reason or another, neither will be coming to Elland Road.

Bournemouth had been willing to sell Aarons before the deadline but Leeds’ preference for a loan move means it will not be happening, while Graham Smyth quickly shut down rumours of Wijndal.

Instead, Leeds have today moved quickly to secure the permanent addition of Schmidt, with talks now at an advanced stage for a deal worth around £2.5 million.

Schmidt is primarily right-footed but has actually spent much of his career playing on the left, and so like Sam Byram, provides some versatile cover at the back.

However, despite a deal for Schmidt being very close to completion, he has actually been handed a start for St Gallen in their Europa Conference League qualifying final against Trabzonspor tonight.

With the tie firmly in the balance at 0-0 after the first leg, St Gallen have decided to include him in their side for what clearly is a huge match for the club. He is due to fly to England after the match.

• READ MORE: Leeds United make shock second bid for £13m player as Joel Piroe offered in swap

Why Georginio Rutter can ease Leeds fans’ nerves on Schmidt

Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath broke the news of Leeds being close to a deal for Schmidt and did allude to the prospect of Schmidt playing tonight.

However, Leeds fans do not need to worry that the move is in jeopardy because of this, and only have to look at Georginio Rutter a couple of weeks ago.

On the day Brighton activated his £40 million release clause, Rutter made himself available for Leeds’ Carabao Cup tie against Middlesbrough, and was used from the bench.

As such, the only thing Leeds fans need to be hopeful of is that he does not get injured.