Beren Cross shares Leeds United transfer priorities as Tyler Adams closes on Chelsea move
Leeds United are looking to improve their central midfield, central defence and striker options before the end of the window with Tyler Adams close to joining Chelsea, according to LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross.
United States international midfielder Adams looks certain to depart for Stamford Bridge, with Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath reporting he is having a medical on Thursday (10 August) after his £20million release fee was triggered.
With the future of Willy Gnonto also up in the air, albeit he is under contract and has no release clause, Cross offered an update on where Daniel Farke plans to upgrade his squad.
“The departure further weakens an area of Daniel Farke’s squad, which is currently propped up by a quintet with an average age of 20 years old,” Cross wrote for LeedsLive (10 August).
“The midfield needs attention and Leeds will look to address it alongside central defence and a striker.”
A messy situation
You have to have sympathy with Daniel Farke and the situation he finds himself in at Leeds United.
With several players having already departed on loan, and others constantly linked with Elland Road exits it is extremely difficult for the German to gain a grasp on who he will have to work with by the end of the transfer window.
Tyler Adams was always likely to be a man in demand, and at £20m Chelsea are getting an absolute snip for a player whose untimely injury last term had a direct correlation with the time Leeds fell off a cliff and veered towards relegation.
A decision will have to be made and quickly on Gnonto too. A talented player he may be, but Leeds need only players who are going to be willing to scrap for the cause in the Championship to get back out of the league.
Once those situations are solved, perhaps then Farke can make a bit more headway on ascertaining what he needs. Max Aarons was close to joining before seeing a move hijacked by Bournemouth. Joe Rodon might be on the way from Tottenham on loan. But there is plenty more work to do and time is fast running out to do it.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites’ predicted XI to face Birmingham City.