Leeds United receive ‘encouraging news’ amid Luis Sinisterra transfer stand-off – Ben Jacobs
Leeds United have had some “more encouraging news” in their attempts to keep Luis Sinisterra at the club, according to Ben Jacobs.
The CBS journalist told GIVEMESPORT (18 August) that with the relegation release clauses in Whites players’ contracts having expired clubs can still use the values as “yardsticks” but now the club “hope” some stars will stay until January at least.
Colombian winger Sinisterra has been training away from the first-team squad along with fellow wantaway Willy Gnonto after both missed the past two matches, but while the Italian international has responded by submitting a written transfer request [The Athletic, 18 August] his teammate has not, so far, despite heavy transfer interest.
Jacobs said: “I think there is slightly more encouraging news for Sinisterra from Leeds’ perspective.
“There’ll be interest and offers, and people can still match the amount of those clauses and use them as valuation yardsticks. But Leeds hope some of their star names stay, at least, until the January window.”
Boost?
It is starting to look like the prospect of keeping Gnonto, who is a major target for Everton above all, is becoming trickier and trickier in a practical sense, as the relationship between player and club gets worse ahead of the deadline.
It seems clear that Sinisterra also would like to leave but, perhaps shielded by the attention directed at his 19-year-old teammate, his own situation appears slightly less explosive.
The expiry of the exit clauses wasn’t enough to prevent Tyler Adams ended up at Bournemouth all the same, but is a major step in the right direction for Daniel Farke and Leeds United.
As long as Sinisterra doesn’t follow Gnonto in putting his attempts to leave in writing there might be scope for a reconciliation with the manager after 1 September and a return to the fold.
The squad could certainly use his quality if it gets to that point, and Jacobs’ update is slightly encouraging in that respect.
It might take a bit longer for fans to come around to the idea, but if the 24-year-old is still at Elland Road in a fortnight’s time and then provides some telling contributions on the pitch that would be the quickest way to go about it.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has identified one player he believes could well be headed Elland Road before the window shuts.