Leeds have to be careful in the transfer market this month.
The winter window is notoriously difficult in terms of finding value for money, with most sides understandably unwilling to weaken themselves by selling a key man in the middle of the season.
Therefore, a lot of stories need to be taken with a pinch of salt, with Graham Smyth now confirming that all is not as it seems at Leeds.
Leeds United fans told that 99% of transfer links so far have been “pure speculation”
So far, we have seen the likes of Raheem Sterling linked to Leeds, along with names such as Taty Castellanos – who is now joining West Ham – Harry Wilson, Troy Parrott, Ruben Neves, Danilho Doekhi and Joe Willock.
Who do you want Leeds to sign in January? A striker surely has to be the priority!
However, Smyth has now told the Inside Elland Road podcast that 99% of these links are nothing more than “pure speculation” as agents use Leeds to try and secure moves for their clients.
The respected journalist said: “I was also told by someone last week that, I think it was 99% – if not 100% – of the names that had been trumpeted so far by various sources were pure speculation, or agents using Leeds to boost the profile of their available player, which I think we see in every window, don’t we? So I wouldn’t put too much stock in a lot of the rumours you’ve seen so far.
“No names to throw in, no new names to throw in yet. So it’s still a watching and waiting brief.”
It now remains to be seen which of the aforementioned names are genuinely targets, and a lot will depend on what gets picked up by stronger outlets such as The Athletic and the Guardian.
There is one player Leeds United definitely want to sign
As aforesaid, stories from various news outlets need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but Robbie Evans – Managing Director at Leeds – has already been quite open about the fact the aforementioned Wilson is a target.
Leeds failed to sign Wilson on deadline day back in September after Fulham were unable to land Tyrique George as his replacement.
Would you sign Harry Wilson next summer, when his contract ends? 🪄
He's still out of contract.
Evans actually spoke to Smyth about that situation for the Yorkshire Evening Post, saying: “It’s pretty straightforward in that we had a player targeted, it didn’t come through. We thought we had the right price. We put the offer in above that price, the player was on board. Club couldn’t get it done.
“Their club couldn’t get it done. We sent the deal sheet in after being given some indication it could work, but they were also doing three deals at once. So Fulham signed £74m worth of wingers yesterday.
“Whether it was out of time or they decided not to sell, we don’t know, but it didn’t happen. Thankfully for us, that’s why we did the overwhelming majority of our business before the last day of the window.”
Leeds remain keen on Wilson – who is still yet to sign a new contract ahead of his current deal expiring in July – and the Daily Mail believe he is even a priority target for the 49ers this winter.
So, while Smyth has now cast some doubt over whether the likes of Neves and Sterling really are targets for Leeds, we feel confident in saying that the Fulham No.8 remains firmly on the radar.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
