£7m reported Leeds target rules out summer exit

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Slavia Prague playmaker Nicolae Stanciu has ruled out a move to Premier League newcomers Leeds United telling DigiSport the Czech champions are determined to keep an impressive crop of players together.

After storming to the title in 2019/20, finishing 11 points clear of Viktoria Plzen, Slavia face an even bigger challenge – fending off the vultures circling their title-winning squad.

Captain Tomas Soucek has already left for West Ham United but, to Slavia’s credit, it seems neither Vladimir Coufal nor Lukas Masopust will be joining the midfielder at the London Stadium.

Coufal has signed a new long-term contract, while West Ham’s £5 million bid for Masopust was rejected (Sun, 9 August, page 50).

Stanciu has also entered the gossip columns, with the Daily Mail reporting in July that Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds had identified the 27-year-old as a £7 million target.

But, speaking after Romania’s 3-2 Nations League triumph over Austria, the midfielder’s comments will be music to Slavia Prague’s ears.

“For now, the club has announced no one will leave until the Champions League play-off matches. We will play on September 20 and 29 and, if we manage to enter the Champions League group stages, I think no one will leave,” says the former Anderlecht and Al-Ahli player.

“We will keep the same team.”

Stanciu produced an impressive 12 assists in all competitions last season with his “brilliant” passing range leading him to be labelled the “most creative player in the league” (DigiSport).

Even the evergreen Pablo Hernandez can’t go on forever and Leeds’ apparent interest suggests they are planning for life after the 35-year-old Wizard Of West Yorkshire.

However, it seems Leeds director of football Victor Orta will have to look elsewhere.