Matej Vydra, wages, Angus Gunn to Southampton and Kyle Bartley to West Bromwich Albion, that’s what the stories are today and for Leeds fans it’s hard to stomach. Although none are conformed, they aren’t far off the mark and where does that leave Leeds at such a late stage?
The hardest to take of the three is without doubt Matej Vydra. Phil Hay released an exclusive today, writing that Leeds were cooling interest in the striker after he changed his wage demands. He also wrote that Leeds were probably going to meet the £11 million valuation, so it begs the question, why didn’t they? This has gone on for nearly a month and Leeds look to have lost their man.
Not looking promising with Matej Vydra – Leeds United cool interest in Derby County striker after balking at fresh wage demands:https://t.co/SoiPDXj9jj
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) July 9, 2018
Vydra didn’t travel with Frank Lampard and his Derby squad on the pre-season tour with the player expected to complete a move to Leeds United, something that now seems highly unlikely. This news hasn’t gone down well at all amongst Leeds fans, how can Leeds be willing to pay, but didn’t and then have the players wage demands increased? Something doesn’t add up.
The next and as equally frustrating in many ways is Kyle Bartley, the ex-Leeds skipper seems set to move to West Bromwich Albion for a fee of juts £3.5 million. All we’ve heard all summer is that the delay is at Swansea’s end and it was down to them, it’s now clear the hesitation was at the Leeds United end from the start, just £3.5 million, what a nightmare.
On a more positive note for West Brom, talks are advanced with Swansea over a move for defender Kyle Bartley. A £3.5m deal could happen before the weekend #wba #swans
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) July 9, 2018
The third deal isn’t great news but certainly not the worst. Angus Gunn, a keeper who Leeds were keen on and a relationship between pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa was apparently key is heading to Southampton.
The issue with this is that Leeds wanted David Stockdale, that isn’t going to happen because of wages and Gunn was the next choice. The third choice was Jamal Blackman who came to Leeds well over a week ago and is now back training with Chelsea, so that isn’t happening either.
Angus Gunn close to joining @SouthamptonFC from Man City. Would be permanent deal. Other clubs interested but Saints head the queue. Very highly-rated keeper.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) July 9, 2018
Leeds’ first pre-season game is next week and a current crop of around 13 or 14 players, including a couple of under 23’s are the only players in Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team squad. This has to change and fast, there is leaving in late and then there’s really struggling. This has, without doubt been a horrible day for Leeds United in the transfer market.
