Leeds United sporting director Adam Underwood is under pressure to deliver the attacking signings Daniel Farke wants before the end of the window. However, he is also facing a race against time to finalise the departures of a few players in the coming days.
The Whites are set to play their Premier League opener against Everton at Elland Road on Monday night, but furious work is being done behind the scenes to add to the seven new players they have already signed in the ongoing transfer window.
Farke has been honest about the state of his squad, and while he is happy with the quality of players the club have signed this summer, the German is insistent that his team cannot be ready to survive in the Premier League without the necessary additions to their attack in the next couple of weeks.
However, Leeds are also in the market for a full-back as Isaac Schmidt wants to leave the club. Farke is prepared to sanction his departure as long as a replacement is brought in.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
Leeds United are testing Werder Bremen’s patience over Isaac Schmidt
The Swiss defender could start against Everton if Jayden Bogle doesn’t recover, but he is keen to move on from Leeds in the ongoing transfer window.
He has a deal in place with Werder Bremen and is pushing to join the German club on loan. However, Leeds are stalling on the negotiations for the time being.
The Whites are yet to sign a replacement full-back, but Bremen are already angry about the delay in the talks for Schmidt.
According to German daily Bild, the German club are running out of patience with Leeds and Farke’s stance on the defender.
Schmidt is their top target, and the Bundesliga outfit are keen to finalise a deal to take him to Germany before the end of the window.
However, the negotiations have stalled as Leeds are yet to sign a defender, and Farke doesn’t want to lose him without a replacement lined up.
Leeds are prepared to hold on to Schmidt as long as Bogle doesn’t recover from his injury or the club sign a full-back.
Leeds should hold on to him
It is understandable why Schmidt wants to leave this summer. He hardly played in the Championship last season and is not the first choice in the squad.
However, Bogle is not fit enough to play for the Whites, and Leeds do not have cover in the full-back areas to let one go before the end of the window.
The club are looking at full-backs and could sign one on a cheap deal, but clearly, Leeds’ focus is on signing forwards in the coming days.
It would be hard for Schmidt if he doesn’t get the move, but Leeds need him at the moment and may not have the funds to bring in his replacement.
