Largie Ramazani set to tick major EFL box as Leeds United transfer nears completion
Leeds United signing Largie Ramazani from Almeria will see them add another ‘homegrown’ player to their squad in the eyes of the EFL, according to Joe Donnohue.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported on X (22 August) that under the EFL’s current rules, Ramazani will be categorised as ‘homegrown’ if and when his transfer to Elland Road is completed [Donnohue, 22 August].
United have lost eight players with ‘homegrown’ status so far this summer, and thus Ramazani’s addition will allow them to meet the EFL’s thresholds of seven per matchday squad and eight per 25-man squad.
Belgium youth international Ramazani was born in the Brussels region but moved to London aged 12, joining Charlton Athletic and then Manchester United’s academy before his 2020 switch to Almeria.
Largie Ramazani status gives Leeds United wide reach on transfers
Adding Ramazani to a currently threadbare squad not only gives Daniel Farke the Crysencio Summerville replacement he was hoping for, but also a homegrown player to help the club fulfil their EFL quota.
Losing the likes of Archie Gray and Glen Kamara, both homegrown themselves, has left further gaps in the squad, which players both with and without links to the UK must be signed to fill – and quickly.
Ramazani’s arrival at Thorp Arch – confirmed in a photo posted by a family member [Instagram, 22 August] – must therefore pave the way for further signings in the coming days as the 30 August transfer deadline looms.
Roland Sallai and Manuel Benson [Sky Sports, 21 August], however, will not help fulfil EFL rules on homegrown players, making Ramazani all the more important for a side whose squad currently features just 19 first-team players.
The aforementioned linked duo are still expected to be pursued by the Whites as they look to make up for the losses of Gray, Summerville and Georginio Rutter – but they’re fast running out of time to do so.
In other Leeds news, one Peacocks target in this transfer window now looks set to make a move to a new Championship club.
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