Largie Ramazani can still help Leeds United and 49ers Enterprises after what he’s done in Spain
Largie Ramazani is seemingly doing his utmost to prove Leeds United boss Daniel Farke wrong.
Ramazani swapped Almeria for Leeds for around £10million in August 2024 on a four-year deal as Farke attempted to earn promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
The Belgium Under-21 international went on to score seven goals and add two assists in 31 appearances, but as the 2024-25 Championship title-winning season progressed, Ramazani‘s presence diminished.
Indeed, after picking up an ankle injury against Watford in October 2024, Ramazani could never seem to convince Farke that the winger should have been a first-team regular at the Elland Road outfit again.
Now, however, he is thriving on loan at Valencia after the German deemed him surplus to requirements in their bid to stay in the Premier League. So what’s next for the 25-year-old?
Daniel Farke unlikely to give Largie Ramazani another chance
In September, Farke admitted that Ramazani struggled for game time behind Dan James, Manor Solomon, and Wilfried Gnonto last season. Ergo, the same would be the case this term in the English top-flight.
Before that, the former Norwich City boss questioned Ramazani’s defensive appetite during games and also raised concerns about his efforts in training.
In September, he said: “With Largie Ramazani, I spoke about how much I rate him, but it’s a fact that even in the Championship level, he was struggling for game time.
“It was also his wish to get game time; he wanted to have this move to La Liga. If a player wants that move, I’m not begging a player to stay; I leave it with people to get the best possible deal.”
How many times has Farke brought a player back into the fold after seemingly dispensing with them? He kept faith with goalkeeper Illan Meslier a great deal last season, but now he is third choice behind Karl Darlow and Lucas Perri.
Early on in his Valencia stint, it seemed like Farke’s decision was justified as he struggled with injuries, form, and game time.
Now, though, Ramazani is riding the crest of a wave as he spearheads Valencia’s quest to stay in La Liga.
After scoring in Valencia’s 1-0 win over Osasuna on Sunday, he said: “I’m gaining confidence, I want to help my team whenever I can, and I’m doing that. I’m happy.”
But will Valencia sign him permanently this summer?
Ramazani is proving the doubters wrong at Valencia
After providing just one assist in 10 La Liga outings at the start of the campaign, Ramazani is currently on a hot streak.
In his last five league games, he has scored four goals, with the Belgian getting on the scoresheet for three straight matches.
He is now a starter for Carlos Corberan’s team and scored Valencia’s winner on Sunday, which involved him scoring a retaken penalty.
On that, he said: “I didn’t see what happened, but I don’t care. If I have to score again, it’s no big deal. I knew I was going to score, and I shot to the same side. If I have to do it a hundred times, I’ll do it a hundred times.”
Incidentally, his Leeds contract runs until 2028, and while he is impressing at Valencia, reports suggest the Spanish club, whose finances are said to be quite limited, may not be able to buy him permanently unless they can get a very favourable fee.
Leeds will want to at least break even on their initial outlay, but even if Valencia doesn’t sign him, his recent form may tempt other teams to bid for him.
That would work to the 49ers Enterprises’ advantage as they seek to provide more breathing space financially. If Leeds stay up, they may try to look forward rather than into the past with new signings.
Ramazani is undoubtedly a talent, but it seems his time at Elland Road will conclude in the not-so-distant future.
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