Clubs across England revealed their retained lists for the end of this season. Leeds United also published their this week. It came with a few surprises.
Mainly, the club offering Sam Byram and Junior Firpo talks to extend their contracts in the summer. The duo were widely expected to leave Elland Road next month.
Clubs in England releasing their lists also gives teams potential transfer targets. Free agents with Premier League experience will surely attract the most interest. But dealing with some of these players as a newly promoted club can be frustrating. They can demand absurd wages and signing on fees because you will not pay a transfer fee.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 Leeds United players from the 2000s?
Leeds United linked to Everton star
Credit: Imago Images
Leeds United have already been linked to major free agents already. Callum Wilson and Jamie Vardy seem to be near the top of the list of targets this summer.
Daniel Farke could also move for a midfielder this summer, with Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure on the radar. The Everton star’s countryman recently suggested Elland Road as a potential destination for the 32-year old. But now, a deal for Doucoure looks less likely than ever. He has already been linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
According to TEAMtalk, Abdoulaye Doucoure has his sights set on a move to the Saudi Pro League. Representatives have already reached out to the player, who will be a free agent in July. He could demand weekly wages of £160,000 this summer. Which would definitely rule Leeds United out of contention.
Leeds have no business spending that kind of money
Doucoure is already set on a move to Saudi, and unless a club brings a better offer, he is gone. Leeds United have no business paying such a player £160,000-a-week. The Whites would be better off signing younger players who have the ability and potential to start next season and have an impact in the Premier League.
