With the scrapping of the emergency loan window, clubs have to be proactive and get their main business done before Wednesday when the summer 2016 window closes for good. Leeds have definitely been active, with 10 incomings but there could be even more on the horizon.
Leeds’ gaffer Garry Monk has made no secret that he wants more bodies in at Elland Road, but he is wary of carrying an inflated squad with some players being left as mere passengers even in a 46 game season. With that in mind, both Monk and fans understand that players will have to leave the club to accommodate inbound players.
The Yorkshire Post’s Lee Sobot thinks that it is safe to think that there will be outgoings at Elland Road, with up to four players seen as possibilities for leaving Elland Road, possibilities with varying degrees of likelihood it seems.
Diagouraga – linked with Rangers – and Murphy – linked with Sheffield Utd – most likely outs. Neither involved at moment #lufc #lufclive
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) August 29, 2016
The most likely to leave are seen to be Toumani Diagouraga and Luke Murphy, two players part of a stacked midfield unit in terms of the Leeds United squad and both seemingly not part of Garry Monk’s Sky Bet Championship thinking.
Diagouraga only signed for Leeds during the January transfer window of last season, making 17 appearances for the Whites and scoring two goals. Murphy signed on as a £1m GFH marquee capture from Crewe Alexandra in readiness for the 2013/14 Championship season. Since then the central midfielder has 111 Leeds United appearances under his belt, scoring seven times and providing six assists for the Whites.
Another linked with a potential move away from Elland Road is left-back Charlie Taylor.
Not difficult to envisage bids for Charlie Taylor – West Brom, Bournemouth, Liverpool seemingly the 3 clubs most interested #lufc #lufclive
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) August 29, 2016
Taylor, of course, handed in a transfer request after the final pre-season friendly against Atalanta indicating that he wanted a move away from Elland Road. This request was rejected by Leeds United, with the club saying that he would not be sold in this transfer window. However, with Premier League sides such as Liverpool, West Brom and Bournemouth showing definite interest in him, the question is how long can the flapping cheque books be ignored by the Whites – Taylor able to leave effectively on a free at this season’s end.
Not difficult to envisage bids for Charlie Taylor – West Brom, Bournemouth, Liverpool seemingly the 3 clubs most interested #lufc #lufclive
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) August 29, 2016
West Brom boss Tony Pulis was at Forest v #lufc on Saturday – presumably to watch Charlie Taylor – so Baggies leading the interest #lufclive
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) August 29, 2016
The final one of the Leeds United players, who could well raise interest, is club captain Sol Bamba who hasn’t featured in the last three Sky Bet Championship games with Monk preferring a Bartley/Cooper partnership at the heart of the defensive line.
Interesting to see if any bids for Sol Bamba too, and what his future is, not in the 18 on Saturday. #lufc have 4 centre backs now #lufclive
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) August 29, 2016
Sobot hits on an interesting point here, what about the continued absence of Bamba from the Leeds United set up? The Whites have brought in the rated Pontus Jansson from Torino on loan, a Swedish international who you’d think when up to speed will likely step in to th Whites starting XI. This move would relegate Bamba to effectively the fourth-choice central defender at the club.
Whatever happens leading up to and on transfer deadline day on Wednesday, it will be an interesting one up at Elland Road as it always is.