The Premier League fixtures are coming thick and fast for Leeds United, but the transfer rumour mill keeps churning.
New stories and gossip continue on a daily basis, in spite of both the international and domestic EFL transfer windows having closed in recent weeks.
Speculation is mounting as to who might arrive to bolster Bielsa’s squad in the mid-season January transfer window, while as the dust settles on Andrea Radrizanni’s £100m outlay over the summer, new details are emerging on the deals Leeds missed out on.
Here’s all the latest Leeds-related transfer news and rumours.
Leeds cult hero reveals striker move fell through
One of the most common names linked to Leeds United in the summer was Ollie Watkins, who finished joint-top scorer in the Championship last term with 26 goals for Brentford.
Now Leeds fan favourite Jermaine Beckford has claimed that the 24-year-old came closer to making the switch to Elland Road than many thought.
“Their [Villa’s] summer window has actually been really good“, said Beckford, speaking on The Phil Hay Show podcast.
“They have also got Ollie Watkins, another player that we were linked heavily with as well, somebody that I’d spoken to over the summer.
“He was on the cusp of joining the club, but for one reason or another, his move broke down and fell through.
“It was a shame if I am honest with you because he is not only a really good football player and a great goalscorer, but he is a lovely person as well.”
Contract set to be terminated for Dutchman
Football Insider claim that Leeds have entered negotiations over cancelling the contract of Ouasim Bouy.
The 27-year-old Ajax academy graduate joined Leeds the club on a free transfer from Juventus in the summer of 2017, signing a four-year deal.
He’s not made a single senior appearance for the Whites, and it is believed he’s not been training at Thorp Arch over the past year, having failed to secure a loan during the 2019/20 season.
Having not been named in the club’s 25-man Premier League squad, it appears his days as a Leeds player are numbered, with the latest reports suggesting the club are making moves to bring an end to his contract earlier than its expiry date next summer.
Former Whites goalkeeper says its ‘vital’ Leeds keep hold of Kalvin Phillips
Paul Robinson has reacted to reports in The Mirror linking Liverpool with a £50m move for Kalvin Phillips.
The 41-year-old, who hung up his gloves in 2017 and is now a prominent pundit, believes that Leeds need to do whatever it takes to keep the fan favourite academy graduate at Elland Road.
“That’s a lot of money but I’d do absolutely anything to keep hold of Kalvin Phillips, he’s so vital to what Leeds do,” the ex-goalkeeper told MOT Leeds News.
“When he’s injured he’s a huge miss for Leeds and they’re going to have to cope without him at Villa Park tonight.
“He’s the type of player you build a team around. You try to give him a contract that would match what he could get anywhere else.
“If Leeds want to stay in the Premier League and be competing for the trophies then he’s the player that needs to stay and for a team to be built around him.”
