Leeds United seal new transfer agreement after FIFA developments
Leeds United’s promotion hopes took a dent with the 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth on Sunday, but the Whites already have one eye on the summer transfer window.
The Championship league leaders are level on points with second place Sheffield United, and just two points clear of Burnley following their shock defeat at Fratton Park.
Leeds appeared set to secure their spot in next season’s Premier League when they managed back-to-back wins over direct promotion rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United last month, but their defeat to Portsmouth may now have cast doubt into some supporters’ minds.
Meanwhile, Daniel Farke and co have already been busy in the transfer market in preparation for next season, which could be in the Premier League.
Leeds United make pre-contract agreement with defender
The Whites have had a long-standing interest in signing Nigerian youngster Leonard Ngenge, who plies his trade for Ikorodu City.
According to Soccernet, Ngenge has signed a pre-contract agreement with Leeds, and will join the West Yorkshire giants during the summer transfer window.
| Championship table (Top four) | Games played | Points |
| 1) Leeds | 36 | 76 |
| 2) Sheffield Utd | 36 | 76 |
| 3) Burnley | 36 | 74 |
| 4) Sunderland | 36 | 68 |
The defender could not previously join up with the club due to FIFA regulations, as he is not yet 18 years old.
However, an agreement is now in place with the Whites, meaning that Ngenge will be able to complete his move to England once he turns 18.
Soccernet report that the defender will initially join Leeds’ Under-18s squad, before gradually moving up to the Under-21s setup.
Leeds must not let their heads drop following Portsmouth defeat
In recent weeks it seemed as though Leeds were cruising towards the Premier League, when they hammered play-off hopefuls Watford 4-0 at Vicarage Road on 11th February before their successive victories over Sunderland and Sheffield United.
If Farke’s men managed to defeat Portsmouth at Fratton Park, they would be sitting five points clear of third place Burnley with just 10 games remaining, so their chances of achieving automatic promotion would be looking very handsome.
However, the Whites have now dropped points in two successive outings, as they surrendered a 1-0 lead over West Brom to draw 1-1 with the Baggies on 1 March, just eight days before losing to Pompey.
The pressure is now on Leeds, who have both Sheffield United and Burnley breathing down their necks and waiting to pounce in the event of another slip-up.
Farke’s men, therefore, must not let their heads drop, and must get back to producing the sort of football they played during their impressive unbeaten run in the Championship, which spanned the entirety of December, January and February.