Leeds United are almost certain to sign at least one senior centre-back after an agreement was reached for Pascal Struijk’s sale this summer.
The Whites have reached a verbal deal to sell Struijk to Premier League rivals Brighton for a deal worth £20m in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Leeds offered the Dutch defender a new contract and wanted to retain him. However, Struijk informed the club that he wanted a fresh challenge, and the Whites were not prepared to watch him run down the final year of his current deal.
Struijk’s imminent departure means Leeds are keen to bring in a replacement soon, and they have already made a move to sign Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi.
Leeds United hold talks with Nico Elvedi over a summer move
Nico Elvedi is currently in the World Cup with the Switzerland squad, who have qualified for the knockout stages of the competition.
However, his future at Gladbach is under the scanner due to interest from Leeds, who are pushing to take him to Elland Road in the ongoing transfer window.
Elvedi is said to be keen to join Leeds as he wants to play in the Premier League, and Daniel Farke remains a firm admirer of the 29-year-old centre-back.
According to the Daily Mail, talks have already taken place between Leeds and Elvedi over the defender’s potential move to Yorkshire in the ongoing transfer window.
The centre-back wants to play in the Premier League, and Leeds appear to be in pole position to sign the player this summer.
However, there is still no agreement between Leeds and Gladbach for his transfer, and the German club are keen to drive up the price.
They would prefer to hold on to one of their most senior players in the squad, and are prepared to drive up the price if Elvedi wants to leave this summer.
Leeds want an experienced defender to replace Struijk
The club would have preferred to hold on to Struijk. But his refusal to sign a new contract left them with no choice, and he will now join Brighton this summer.
He has been a major player for Leeds over the last few seasons and was at the heart of a team that comfortably stayed up in the Premier League last term.
Leeds do not want to take any gambles with his replacement and are keen to brig in someone experienced who is ready to slot into the team next season.
Elvedi has the experience to be a top replacement for Struijk, and Leeds are ramping up their efforts to take him to Elland Road this summer.
I’ll be sad to see Pascal Struijk leave … I followed his progress from his days in the academy to his rise into a first team regular, and a classy LCB. Good luck Pascal, and I hope you go on to miss LUFC, just as Georginio Rutter does.
Utterly stupid decision to sell Struijk, by far the best cb at the club.
£20m they must be joking. That is far too cheap I hope they have some add ons in there like a 25% sell on fee for starters. You might not think the fee is too bad but for goodness sake Prem clubs rinse Leeds so now it’s pay back.
If we are to compete with less money go for some of theirs in the best way we can….make them pay real money for our players.