The need for a full-back at Leeds United is on the agenda again as Isaac Schmidt prepares to leave the club on loan, leaving Daniel Farke with just three options for two positions.
Schmidt failed to ever fully convince manager Farke following his £4.6m arrival from St. Gallen on the final day of the 2024 summer window. The Switzerland international managed just 70 minutes in the league.
However, he did win his first Switzerland caps and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, he needs game time to secure his ticket to next summer’s tournament. Schmidt then, is set to join Max Wober’s Werder Bremen.
A loan deal is in place and it leaves Leeds requiring another full-back having already secured the signing of Gabriel Gudmundsson as a replacement for Junior Firpo, and handing Sam Byram a new contract.
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Leeds have shown they are willing to dip into the free agent market. Lukas Nmecha has arrived at Elland Road on a two-year deal after his Wolfsburg contract came to an end, and Leeds could do it again.
Callum Wilson, Vladimir Coufal and new West Ham signing Kyle Walker-Peters have all been linked with Leeds. Another linked is Nelson Semedo. Ben Jacobs said Leeds were ‘one to watch’ in pursuit of Semedo.
Semedo confirmed his exit on Instagram earlier this summer, but Leeds are set to miss out as Fabrizio Romano confirms Semedo is set to join Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on a free transfer from Wolves.
“Nelson Semedo to Fenerbahçe, here we go! Portuguese fullback is now travelling to Istanbul. Deal done as he will be surprise signing with Škriniar wanted by Fenerbahçe director Devin Özek,” Romano said.
Which full-backs could Leeds sign to replace Isaac Schmidt?
Leeds are now expected to look at another full-back signing before allowing Schmidt to go. Described as “incredible” by Gary O’Neil in the past, Semedo is no longer an option if Leeds were actually interested.
But there are options. LeedsUnited.News understands the club are pursuing a deal for Leicester City ace James Justin after The Foxes suffered relegation. Justin is able to play on either side of the defence.
Like Justin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also able to play on the right or the left. Graeme Bailey has told us that Leeds have been offered Maitland-Niles, in a move that would see him reunited with Lucas Perri.
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