One of Leeds United’s reported January targets was spotted arriving in his new destination ahead of a medical on Sunday morning, but he is not bound for Thorp Arch.
Instead, German giants Borussia Dortmund will be the club entrusted with maintaining Daniel Svensson’s development into one of the most exciting young full-backs in European football.
Leeds have been linked with the seven-time Sweden international, alongside the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, RB Leipzig and Liverpool. But, in a weekend in which Junior Firpo provided a timely reminder of his qualities, Svensson took one big step towards becoming a Dortmund player.
Reports emerged on Saturday claiming that Daniel Svensson had agreed terms with the Bundesliga giants.
And while nothing can really be considered totally over until the proverbial fat lady sings, she appears to be warming up her vocal chords and practicing her scales. Svensson was spotted arriving in Dortmund on Sunday morning, jetting in from Denmark as the FC Nordsjaelland starlet prepares to undergo medical tests and put pen to paper at the Signal Iduna Park.
Leeds United miss out as Daniel Svensson arrives in Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League final last season with Ian Maatsen, the former Chelsea loanee now at Aston Villa, their starting left-back.
Maatsen is yet to be replaced by Die Schwarzgelben, although Remy Bensebaini has impressed in the Dutchman’s absence.
The arrival of Svensson, very much a typical Dortmund sort of signing at just 22 and with bags of potential, will be an early boost to the newly-appointed Nico Kovac.
The former Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt coach has been appointed as Nuri Sahin’s replacement, with Dortmund beginning the weekend in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table.
It has not been confirmed yet how much Dortmund will pay for Svensson, though Nordsjaelland reportedly wanted £7.5 million when Benfica held talks regarding a potential switch to the Portuguese capital.
Benfica, like Leeds, will now be forced to look elsewhere in their pursuit of a left-back.
Danish publication Tipsbladet claim that Nordsjaelland had planned to keep Svensson until the summer. But when he expressed his ‘great desire’ to join a club who turned Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski into household names, Nordsjaelland opted not to stand in his way.
Junior Firpo’s Cardiff masterclass gives Leeds food for thought
As for Leeds, their own left-back chase will likely be dictated by what decision Junior Firpo makes in the coming months.
The £13 million former Barcelona man has been linked with a return to Spain – old employers Real Betis are reportedly interested – with his contract at Elland Road expiring in July.
On current form, however, Leeds may look to retain a player enjoying his best football in that famous white shirt. The previously-maligned Junior Firpo provided a hat-trick of assists as Leeds thumped Cardiff City 7-0 on Saturday, with his first of the afternoon setting up Dan James just after half-time.
“Special mention to Junior as well,” James said following Leeds’ biggest home win in over 50 years. “He’s been out a while [with injury] and he’s got three assists today.
“Everyone chipped in today.”
Largie Ramazani even likened Firpo to ‘prime Jordi Alba’, the Spain-born Dominican Republic international flying down the flank in a manner somewhat reminiscent of the Barcelona great at the peak of his powers.
Leeds also saw a deal for Newcastle’s Matt Targett played down by St James’ Park boss Eddie Howe.
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