‘Fantastic’ Leeds player rejects Elland Road deal and passes medical at new club on Wednesday

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Leeds United are losing another Thorp Arch academy product after Archie Gray’s move to Tottenham Hotspur, after a medical was passed at a Championship rival on Wednesday.

Gray, 18, moved to Tottenham on Tuesday from Leeds in a deal that sees The Whites receive £40m but a quarter of that fee is spent on Joe Rodon, the Welshman returning permanently to the delight of fans.

Plenty have left the club, but Leeds are yet to communicate what is going on with Jamie Shackleton, Liam Cooper and Cody Drameh. The retained list confirmed Leeds had offered all three players news deals.

But on Sunday, their contracts expired and technically became free agents. Shackleton struggled for game time last season despite Ross McCormack describing the versatile ace as “fantastic” and is a big fan of his.

Farke even hinted at a new deal for Shackleton earlier in the season but now, he is off to a League rival:

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Sheffield United closing in on deal for Leeds player

Reports emerged this week that Sheffield United were closing in on a deal for Shackleton and now there is an update from the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who says Shackleton has rejected Leeds.

Smyth reports that the midfielder underwent a medical at Chris Wilder’s side on Wednesday and is now due to sign permanently on a free transfer for The Blades, who will likely pose a threat to promotion.

It will see Shackleton return to Elland Road on October 19, before a return fixture at Bramall Lane on February 22. It looks as if Shackleton is due to be announced sooner rather than later as a Blades player.

Right move for Shackleton at this stage in his career

Farke is an admirer of Shackleton and he is the perfect kind of player to have on the bench. Whether that is because of his versatility, his natural fitness or his attitude despite being a fringe player at Elland Road.

Now aged 24, Shackleton needs to be playing more than a handful of games. He is at the stage in his career where he needs to be first choice and a move to Sheffield United could allow him to do that.