It’s early in the summer window and Leeds United have already seen a number of exits. The club could end up moving on from more players before the new season begins.
Pascal Struijk was the first official sale, as he joined Brighton. The defender was not keen on committing to a new deal, and had to be sold.
Illan Meslier, Karl Darlow and Sam Byram also left the club as free agents.
Meslier was not offered a new deal, which brought an end to his six-year stay at Elland Road. Fans were surpised when Premier League champions Arsenal snapped him up.
Darlow was another one who joined a rival, as he moved to Old Trafford.
His exit came as a surprise as he was expected to sign a new deal and stay on as the club’s number one for next season.
Graham Smyth says Daniel Farke was happy to discard Leeds United star
In a deal that came out of nowhere, it was announced that Isaac Schmidt had left Leeds United for Young Boys in Switzerland.
The defender was out on loan at Werder Bremen last season after getting limited playing time in the promotion campaign. Bremen did not take the buy option, and Schmidt returned to Elland Road before his exit.
According to Graham Smyth, Daniel Farke was not really keen on the 26-year old and was happy to let him go.
”A permanent exit was everybody’s best interest, wasn’t it? He failed to convince Daniel Farke that he was a fullback in the championship.” Smyth said on the Inside Elland Road podcast.
”He was never going to play for Farke in the Premier League. And it’s not like he went to the Bundesliga last year and absolutely tore the place up.”
”He was a bit part player for them in a team that didn’t particularly shine. And he gets to go back to Switzerland”
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Leeds will not make a financial ‘loss’ on Schmidt’s exit
Isaac Schmidt looked like a transfer that was never going to pan out in the promotion campaign.
He was brought in to be a fullback, but even with a lack of options in the position, Daniel Farke chose to play other players out of position. When Schmidt played, it was as a winger or attacker.
Leeds have been able to ship him out which is very positive news.
Per Smyth, the Whites do not make a loss on the books; Schmidt was signed for around £2.5 million in 2024 and was sold for £2 million. In the end, it was the best decision for the 49ers and the club.
