Leeds United are yet to do their first piece of business this summer, but the club have been resolving much needed issues. When it comes to player contracts, the 49ers have been active.
They renewed Ethan Ampadu’s deal, tying him down until 2030. Club chairman Paraag Marathe insisted that first piece of business was more important than anything.
And as of the Premier League retained list, contracts have been offered to Karl Darlow, Sam Byram and Alex Cairns.
Daniel Farke will also hold talks with the 49ers going into next season.
When it comes to transfers, there has been nothing major yet. However, the club are said to have serious interest in Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande.
Huge update emerges on Leeds United pursuit of Ousmane Diomande
Per A Bola in Portugal, the Whites are prepared to break their club record to sign the 22-year old defender.
The summer transfer window is not opened yet, but it is believed that Diomande is a major target for Leeds United. Journalist Ben Jacobs has given an update on the defender’s future on the Market Madness podcast.
“I think at the moment Ousmane Diomande is going to be one of the most interesting sagas of this window. Remember a centre-back at Sporting that has always had a hugely high release clause that has been prohibitive to any club actually striking a deal there, and it was Crystal Palace originally. This wasn’t even the window when Marc Guehi left; it was the summer before he departed, when it looked like Guehi was going to Liverpool, and Palace were trying, but there were real issues around the overall cost of the deal.
“With Leeds, they want to add in that position at this stage. The suggestions that they’ve put £45million-plus on the table are wide of the mark, according to my understanding. Sporting sources say that there’s been no bid yet, but Leeds have been tracking Diomande for quite some time, so we have to wait and see whether that develops into anything, or if the price still feels too high.
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This is what Daniel Farke wanted from the 49ers
From what Jacobs revealed, Leeds are interested but no official bid has been made yet.
The fact that that alone has been clarified means that the 49ers are serious about this deal. Daniel Farke has been asking for quality reinforcements, and it looks like he will get some.
Leeds have Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Jaka Bijol on their books.
Adding Diomande would be a huge upgrade, and would improve the team immediately. Fans should be happy that their ownership is showing ambition.
