Leeds United stays wanted for Tyler Adams, Willy Gnonto, Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra as 49ers eye league-high wage bill
The 49ers are planning to push for Leeds United promotion with a wage bill that could prove to be the highest in the Championship, according to Graeme Smyth.
A number of first-team players have already made loan moves this summer, with Ramus Kristensen’s switch to Roma the latest departure confirmed on Friday (14 July), and Rodrigo’s sale a notable permanent exit.
Various other Elland Road stars are coveted but the incoming owners plan to keep hold of some key names if possible, and are ready to pay more than their second-tier rivals in order to do so.
Smyth writes in the Yorkshire Evening Post: “It’s highly possible, if not inevitable, that Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison, Willy Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra will be the subject of transfer window offers from top flight European outfits but Leeds are hopeful of retaining the quartet.
“49ers Enterprises, whose takeover attempt is still awaiting EFL approval, are expected to aggressively pursue promotion through one of, if not the highest wage bill in the Championship and a bolstering of Daniel Farke’s squad.”
Encouraging
The steady stream of Leeds United departures have so far not been hugely damaging to the squad, with Rodrigo’s more to Qatar the only exception.
Otherwise, supporters will largely not be too sad to see the back of the players who have made loan moves, but it would be a different story with the four named star men who currently remain.
It is undoubtedly going to be tricky to keep any of them at the club in the second tier, let alone all of them, with top flight interest mooted for at least three.
Sinisterra’s recent injury history has kept him from being linked to an exit, but he certainly has enough quality to secure a move.
All three others are wanted within the Premier League so it is a serious challenge to convince them to remain for the promotion push under Daniel Farke.
It sounds like the new regime is willing to pay handsomely for the Championship to increase their chances of making it happen, but in comparison to top flight wages it might be a losing battle.
For now the quartet remain Whites players, but how confident Farke can be of planning for their stay has to be in question while the window is open.
In other Leeds United news, a “surprise” offer has come in for another player currently at Elland Road after one suitor dropped out of the race to sign him.