Leeds United will be looking for a left-back in the coming days and weeks as Junior Firpo’s contract at Elland Road comes to an end, with today the final day of his four-year spell.
Firpo’s stay at Leeds is officially over with the four-year deal he signed in the summer of 2021, after a move from Barcelona, expiring today. He joins Sam Byram and Josuha Guilavogui in leaving on a free.
Leeds are yet to confirm anything following the retained list on May 17, which stated that Guilavogui would depart and both Firpo and Byram were in talks with the club over possibly extending their deals.
Not only do Leeds need a starting left-back, but they need a player that can cover both full-back roles with Byram leaving. One option to offer versatility in defence and play at left-back, is Reinildo Mandava.
Sunderland strike second blow as they close in on Leeds target
Over the weekend, Sunderland have struck a deal to sign Habib Diarra from Strasbourg. The Black Cats are paying a fee believed to total £35m for the 21-year-old skipper, after Leeds made two bids for him.
The second Diarra bid totalled £23.9m, but Leeds were unwilling to meet Strasbourg’s asking price. It appears Sunderland have done so, paying north of £30m even with Diarra set to play at AFCON.
Now, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie says Sunderland are set to sign another player Leeds have held talks to sign, in Mandava. The Atletico Madrid defender, like Firpo, is due to become a free agent.
Leeds are reported to have enquired about the 49-time Mozambique international, as did Sunderland. Mandava needed to play at least 45 minutes in half of Atleti’s games to get an extension, but he failed.
Downie reports: “Sunderland are on the verge of signing Atlético Madrid left-back Reinildo Mandava. Can confirm Sunderland hope to wrap this one up quickly. The 31-year-old will sign a two-year-deal.”
Who looks most likely to replace Junior Firpo at left-back?
Leeds have been linked with a whole host of left-sided defenders including Konstantinos Tsimikas and more recently, Tottenham’s Ben Davies. Davies could still join Leeds despite a Spurs contract extension.
But the one that seems to be most-likely is Gabriel Gudmundsson of Lille. Like Jaka Bijol, Gudmundsson finds himself in the last year of his contract and has even talked up the possibility of a move to Leeds.
This week could be somewhat decisive as clubs wave goodbye to players that were contracted until June 30. It could see a few clubs make some signings, and choose to place others on the transfer list.
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