With the January window now just a fortnight from opening, there are a few players being linked with the exit door at Leeds United as Daniel Farke pushes his side towards promotion.
Illan Meslier was a target for Rennes as they look to replace Steve Mandanda before reports this week said Arsenal could make a move for the Frenchman to provide back-up and competition to David Raya.
Max Wober has been touted with a move to Wolves, while Salzburg could try a “clever loan” to re-sign Wober. Then there is Junior Firpo who is out of contract next summer, and Turkish side Besiktas are keen.
Joe Gelhardt actually wants to leave Leeds and Tottenham are admirers of Pascal Struijk. Earlier this week, it was claimed that Leeds are considering replacements for Patrick Bamford in case he leaves in January.
Leeds fans react as Wrexham and Genoa eye Patrick Bamford
Then, a new report said Wrexham and Genoa want Bamford. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have the money to spend, but it is unclear if Wrexham will be able to afford Bamford’s £40k-a-week wages.
Then there is Genoa, who will have the cash to afford Bamford as they sit 13th in Serie A. Patrick Vieira’s side are lacking in options up top and it has seen the Frenchman bring in Mario Balotelli on a short deal.
They could turn to Bamford in a move that will see him link up with Elland Road flop Caleb Ekuban. Leeds fans have responded on social media to the news, and they feel it is time for Bamford to leave the club.
It is a long time since Bamford starred for Leeds, when he had a hand in 25 goals for The Whites after promotion to the Premier League. Injuries have hampered the one-time England man from his best form.
Another agreed with the above tweet, simply saying “good, get him gone.” Another was impressed that Bamford could get a move to Vieira’s side, who are mid-table in Serie A: “Genoa, what a move”.
Another Leeds fan shared that it is “time for him to move on”. There is “no hate” towards Bamford, and even thanked him for his goals. However, one fan simply said “Christmas has come early”.
It speaks volumes that Leeds fans want Bamford gone amid the new reports. It seems finally, and for the first time in his six-and-a-half-year spell at Leeds, Bamford could now actually leave Elland Road.
Wrexham or Genoa? Which is Bamford’s best choice in January…
Of course, the most-likely scenario is that Bamford simply refuses to go and is happy to warm the bench under Farke. He could simply be happy to pick up the wage he receives with his contract ending in 2026.
Indeed, Bamford has a young family and after spending more than six years at Elland Road, the chances are that he is settled. But if he had to choose between Wrexham or Genoa, the choice is an obvious one.
A third-tier move to Wrexham may appeal at the celebrity in Bamford, who has his hiw own podcast with Joe Wilkinson. But if he has any ambition, a move to work under Vieira at Genoa is clearly the best move.
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