Leeds United refused contract stipulation in Liverpool negotiations for Fabio Carvalho
Leeds United missed out on the signing of Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool because they refused to agree to a contract stipulation in negotiations, according to Leeds-Live.
Writing on their website (11 January), the news outlet report that the Whites were keen on signing the Portugal youth international after he was made available for loan again following a failed stint with RB Leipzig.
But a deal failed to materialise when Liverpool wanted to insert a guaranteed playing time stipulation in the contract, which Leeds were not prepared to sign, and the player ended up signing for promotion rivals Hull instead.
“Three available loan spots in the squad allow flexibility in the market for Daniel Farke and the club’s transfer committee,” they wrote. “Fabio Carvalho, for example, was one player Leeds were keen on in an attacking position.
“However, the Whites were not prepared to sign a contract which stipulated guaranteed playing time for the 21-year-old when there is such stern competition for places at Elland Road.
“Carvalho is an example of the opportunity Leeds will not sleep on, as Farke has already said in this window.”
Sensible
There’s no doubting that Carvalho would have been a sensational signing for Leeds in the January transfer window, and he may well have been the difference between automatic promotion, playoffs or not going up at all.
But Farke has made it very clear that minutes and playing time will be earned at Elland Road this season, and with the attacking quality we have it simply wouldn’t have been fair to guarantee playing time to someone.
Had a permanent transfer been on the cards then it may have been a bit more doable as there would be a long-term benefit to the club.
However it seems to be the sensible decision to pass on this deal because of the implications it would have had for the rest of the squad, not just for the second half of the season but also for the long-term with potential exits.
Leeds have been good in the transfer market under the 49ers so far, and this looks like another deal that makes sense to pass on. Hopefully Carvalho doesn’t come back to bite us on the backside later in the campaign.
In other Leeds news, Luke Ayling replacement eyed as club open to offers for international ace.