Leeds United supporters have had to be patient as the club works through a busy start to the summer transfer window before unveiling its first new signing.
There was one major piece of business completed on Tuesday evening, with the club confirming Pascal Struijk’s move to Brighton after all the necessary paperwork was finalised.
Leeds wrapped up a deal to sign Harry Wilson on a free transfer last week, and the Wales international has already put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Elland Road. Despite that, the club are yet to make the move official.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has explained the delay behind Leeds confirming the impending arrival of the Welsh winger on a free transfer.
Graham Smyth reveals the latest on Harry Wilson
All the terms and agreement have been finalised with Wilson, and there was an expectation that an announcement would be imminent once he officially became a free agent on Wednesday.
However, the Leeds insider has indicated that the club are unlikely to officially unveil the winger before next week, despite the free-transfer deal already being in place.
He insisted that there is no drama behind the scenes at Elland Road and everything is signed and sealed for Wilson to join Leeds in the ongoing transfer window.
However, logistical factors have delayed the announcement, and it now looks unlikely to be made before next week.
Smyth said on the Inside Elland Road podcast: “Yeah, it’s done, it’s agreed.
“I don’t expect an announcement until possibly next week, but no one is worrying about it or panicking about it; there are no nefarious reasons behind that.
“It’s just a timing, logistics thing, getting him in the building sort of thing as far as I’m aware. But, yeah, that one was agreed.”
He will solve a big problem for Leeds
One of Leeds United’s biggest problems last season was a lack of creativity when they were forced to control games.
Daniel Farke put together a disciplined, well-drilled side that was tough to beat and carried a real threat on the counter-attack. But when opponents sat deep and Leeds dominated possession, they too often ran out of ideas in the final third.
That is likely one of the main reasons the 49ers are so determined to add players such as Harry Wilson and Julian Brandt to the squad this summer.
Both are capable of providing the creativity Leeds have been missing. Farke already has plenty of hard-working, box-to-box and defensively solid midfielders at his disposal, but the squad lacks players who can consistently pick a pass, unlock stubborn defences and contribute goals.
Wilson, in particular, has the profile to make an immediate difference. Returning 11 goals and eight assists for a Fulham side that struggled for consistency last season is an impressive return and suggests he could have a major impact at Elland Road.
His versatility only adds to his appeal. Comfortable playing out wide, as a No. 10 or in a more advanced midfield role, Wilson would give Farke greater tactical flexibility and another genuine creative outlet in the attacking third.
