Leeds United feel that no less than six new players could arrive at Elland Road this summer as the Premier League outfit prepare to sell Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, as reported by The Athletic.
Three down, three to go.
This always had the makings of a summer of transition. And the Leeds side that kick off the new campaign against Wolves in August could look almost unrecognisable from the one that survived relegation by the skin of it’s teeth in May.
Homegrown hero Phillips has agreed a move to Manchester City. Raphinha looks almost certain to follow the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ out the door, even if his destination continues to keep us guessing. Will it be Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur? Chelsea, Newcastle or Barcelona? Your guess, at this stage, is as good as ours.
Leeds set to lose Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha
Now, Leeds fans know how it feels to approach a new season with a sense of trepidation. And the departures of both Phillips and Raphinha – arguably their two most influential, naturally-gifted footballers – certainly won’t calm the nerves. Like lending someone with a fear of flying a copy of Airplane! the night before boarding a 12-hour trip to Australia.
But, with three new faces through the door already, Leeds are wasting no time as they look to add an injection of fresh blood into a tired old squad. Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson know Jesse Marsch’s style like the back of their hands, having played under the American at Red Bull Salzburg.
And while Marc Roca arrives after two season of benchwarming in Bavaria, the former Spain U21 international was one of La Liga’s most highly-rated midfielders not long ago.
Three more to come?
According to The Athletic, some at Elland Road expect three more to arrive before the August transfer deadline; A midfielder (one to replace Phillips), a winger (to replace Raphinha) and a forward (to provide competition for the injury-hit Patrick Bamford).
PSG starlet Arnaud Kalimuendo would certainly ease the burden on Bamford’s shoulders. Per The Independent, Leeds failed with an £18 million bid for the former Lens loanee in June. PSG will reportedly accept £20 million.
Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven, Noa Lang of Club Brugge and even Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech have also been linked. Ditto Sporting Lisbon flyer Gonzalo Plata.
So too Charles de Ketelaere, an elegant, epherial, £30 million-rated Belgium international who has been labelled the second coming of Kevin de Bruyne. According to The Athletic, Leeds see De Ketelaere – a player in the Kai Havertz mould – more as a false nine than a wideman.
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