Leeds United have made considerable progress towards improving their squad this summer. However, they are now trying to hold on to one of their best players.
The Whites have reached an agreement over a contract with Harry Wilson and are getting ready to put him through a medical ahead of signing him on a free transfer.
However, it emerged on Wednesday that Leeds could lose one of their best players this summer after Gabriel Gudmundsson was linked with a move to Chelsea.
Xabi Alonso wants the Swede at Stamford Bridge as the replacement for Marc Cucurella. However, Leeds are standing firm on any attempts to snare him away from Elland Road.
Read More: Leeds United star Gabriel Gudmundsson emerges as shock target for Chelsea
Leeds will block any approach for Gabriel Gudmundsson
Alonso wants to bring in a full-back who can play both as left-back and as a wing-back in his favoured 3-4-3 formation at Chelsea next season.
Gudmundsson proved last season that he can play both roles at Leeds, which has led Chelsea to show a willingness to sign him.
Leeds can imagine trebling or quadrupling the £10m fee they paid for him last summer to boost their SCR calculations ahead of next season.
However, according to TeamTalk, Leeds are in no mood to sell Gudmundsson in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The White are prepared to reject big-money offers to hold on to the defender and keep him at Leeds for the 2026/27 season.
Leeds are aware that they may need to sell a couple of players to improve their financial standing ahead of the new campaign. However, Gudmundsson is not one of them.
The Swedish left-back is one of the ‘untouchables’ in the squad, and the club will block any approach for him in the ongoing transfer window.
Leeds must hold on to him
Leeds United’s recruitment team deserve plenty of praise for identifying Gudmundsson and bringing him to Elland Road for what now looks like an outstanding piece of business.
Chelsea’s interest, however, presents a real challenge. They have the financial muscle to offer both a substantial transfer fee and a salary package that would be difficult for most players to ignore.
From Leeds’ perspective, keeping hold of Gudmundsson has to be a priority. Replacing a player of his quality would be far from straightforward, especially within the club’s current transfer budget.
Daniel Farke will be hoping to convince the Swedish full-back that his development is best served by staying at Elland Road, rather than being tempted by the prestige and financial rewards that a move to Chelsea could bring.
