After finishing 14th in the Premier League, Leeds United have already started planning for next season and what they need to do in the summer.
With their top-flight status secured for another year, the focus has now shifted towards the summer transfer window and the additions needed to improve the squad.
Leeds want to strengthen in several areas this summer, but they are also conscious of the financial realities of the Premier League, something chairman Paraag Marathe addressed in his end-of-season open letter.
The Whites also need player sales to improve their chances of bringing in more quality. However, the potential departure of a forward has stalled.
Valencia put their move for Largie Ramazani on hold
Largie Ramazani joined Valencia on loan from Leeds last summer, and after a poor start, had a great second half of the season in Spain.
The Belgian has been keen to extend his stay at Valencia, and the Spanish club have been looking to get favourable terms from Leeds to sign him.
However, according to Spanish sports daily AS, the move for Ramazani has been put on hold after complaints about his bad attitude and poor behaviour behind the scenes.
The Belgian initially still had a chance of returning to Valencia, but that door now appears to have closed because of his recent behaviour.
The Leeds-owned player last featured in Valencia’s 2-0 home defeat to Atlético Madrid on May 2. His physical display was reportedly below the level expected, while he also failed to carry out the tactical instructions prepared for the match.
In the days that followed, he was warned by the coaching staff and also received criticism from senior members of the squad.
However, matters worsened when the attacker posted a photo of himself playing golf on a day off, something that reportedly further frustrated his teammates.
A possibility of returning for Ramazani later in the window has not been completely ruled out. However, Valencia are now pursuing other targets.
He does not have a future under Daniel Farke
Ramazani’s form in Spain may have led to suggestions that he could still have a future at Leeds and return to the fold during pre-season this summer.
However, a permanent exit still feels like the most likely outcome. Daniel Farke never fully trusted him during Leeds’ time in the Championship and was prepared to let him leave on loan last summer.
The tactical switch introduced last year also means there is no obvious role for Ramazani in the current system, with Leeds more likely to move on several wide players, including names such as Wilfried Gnonto, ahead of next season.
Norwich City have been linked with an interest in Ramazani and are believed to be ready to pay a significant sum for his arrival.
Leeds will hope that the interest from the Canaries is real and they find a way for the Belgian to leave before pre-season begins in July.
