Leeds United look set to miss out on two of their defensive targets with El Chadaille Bitshiabu on his way to RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain while Ryan Manning joins Southampton on a free transfer.
In truth, the universe appeared to conspire against Leeds United in their attempts to tighten up a backline breached nearly 80 times during the 2022/23 campaign.
Relegation on the final day brought a premature end to Leeds’ hopes of luring one of Paris Saint-Germain’s most exciting youngsters to Elland Road. France U19 international Bitshiabu, according to Fabrizio Romano, is set to become the latest French centre-half to join RB Leipzig, following in the footsteps of compatriots Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano with the deal ‘99 per cent done’.
Leipzig, Romano adds, will pay around £13 million for Bitshiabu. A fee that might have been within Leeds’ reach if they had avoided the drop, but one that moved beyond their means following relegation.
Leeds United need signings
Leeds’ hopes of bringing Ryan Manning to West Yorkshire, meanwhile, were also hit hard by the appointment of his former Swansea City coach Russell Martin at Southampton (The Athletic).
Once the Saints came calling, Manning could not resist the temptation to reunite with Martin on the banks of the Solent.
“Knowing the gaffer’s style of football, how he wants to play, it felt like a perfect fit for me where the club and the manager lined up,” explains Manning, who scored five goals and set up 10 more from his left-back role in 2022/23.
“You’re coming to a Premier League club that’s in the Championship. So the ambition is promotion. Nothing else.
“That’s exactly what I was looking for as the next move in my career. It’s the perfect club to come to. The ambition is massive, and everyone is working towards getting back to the Premier League.”
Leeds are also pursuing Manning’s former Swansea team-mate Joel Piroe. Daniel Farke’s side could run into a familiar obstacle, however, with Martin’s Southampton also hot on the heels of a striker who scored 44 goals during two outstanding seasons in Wales.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
