Despite having made four new signings already this summer, there’s a sense that Leeds United have been frustrated in the transfer market, over the last two weeks especially.
Perhaps it’s because the likes of Sunderland and Burnley have made more signings, and in the case of Sunderland, have signed a number of Leeds United transfer targets already this summer.
But there definitely seems to be a sense of frustration around Leeds at the minute, at least among the fans who are eager to see some really marquee signing arrive at Elland Road ahead of the new season.
This summer, Leeds have a £150million transfer budget and Daniel Farke has spent £30million of that so far, on Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
With so many positions still to bolster, though, it looks unlikely that we might see Leeds United break their £35.5million transfer record in this summer’s window.
Leeds United handed worrying Matthis Abline transfer update
One player who remains available to Leeds, but who is also linked with Sunderland, is FC Nantes and France U21s midfielder Matthis Abline. Reports have revealed how Leeds United have held talks to sign Abline this summer but that the Black Cats have tabled an opening £17million offer, which has seemingly yet to be rejected nor accepted.
It’s understood that Nantes want much more than that amount, though, so Sunderland’s bid may have been swiftly rejected. And it makes sense given the fact that Nantes are in a strong financial position after this summer’s transfer business, which has seen them make €20million already.
SportFR are reporting that FC Nantes have made this impressive amount purely from player sales, referencing the fact that they’ve not even sold star man Abline, with the French club having a clear strategy in place.
FC Nantes president has shut the door on a Leeds United move for Matthis Abline
FC Nantes have certainly replenished their resources this summer. It leaves them with no pressure to sell Abline, and with the ability to slap an extraordinary price tag on the attacker’s head, after he scored nine and assisted two more in 34 Ligue 1 games last season.
And speaking last month, FC Nantes president Waldemar Kita was quoted as saying: “Contrary to what has been said, we did not need to sell players to validate the budget,” and so a Leeds United move for Abline may have long passed anyway.
That, or the chances of Leeds or any other club signing the 22-year-old Abline for a reasonable fee may have passed. It could be a story that repeats itself more and more the further we head into the transfer window. Time is certainly of the essence for Leeds United this summer.
Leeds play Man United in a pre-season friendly on the 19th, as their summer preparations start to ramp up.
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