Leeds United have hit the 40-point mark in the Premier League, and while they are not mathematically safe yet, it would take a major collapse for them to be relegated now.
With survival almost in the bag, the focus is already starting to shift towards the summer, as the club gears up to be more active in the transfer market.
Leeds are looking to strengthen their midfield and have already lined up a few key targets, including Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough and Wolves’ Joao Gomes.
However, manager Daniel Farke also wants to hold on to his best players, and he is now prepared to block any efforts for a top star to leave Elland Road in the upcoming transfer window.
Daniel Farke to block a departure for Pascal Struijk
Pascal Struijk was one of the Leeds players who could have fetched a big fee last summer. However, the Whites decided against selling him.
He is again attracting interest after a solid season in the Premier League, and Newcastle United are among the clubs that are expected to make offers for him in the summer.
There are claims that Leeds may sell someone for big money to enhance their transfer budget, but it seems Farke has yet to receive that memo from the 49ers.
According to Football Insider, the Leeds manager is prepared to shut down any attempts to take Struijk away from Elland Road in the summer.
Farke does not want to lose any of his key players, and Strujk is seen as one of the key cogs in a Leeds team that are expected to survive this season.
He does not want to sell one of his defensive leaders and is aware that there are no guarantees that he could get an upgrade on the defender for a reasonable fee.
The 49ers will have to back the manager
Struijk is a left-footed centre-back with Premier League experience and a year left on his contract. It is no surprise there are clubs after him this summer.
Leeds could even get a good fee despite his contract status, and it would enhance their spending power ahead in the next transfer window.
However, the 49ers will have to Farke if he wants to hold on to Struijk and possibly offer the defender an enhanced new contract soon.
The Leeds manager is right to think that he will unlikely get an upgrade on the Dutchman at the club’s price point, so it is better to hold on to him.
They may need major sales to radically improve the squad, but Farke would have earned the right to be heard if he keeps Leeds in the Premier League.
