Luis Sinisterra to Bournemouth to be first in series of long-term Leeds United exits – Phil Hay
Luis Sinisterra’s £20million permanent Bournemouth transfer is set to be the beginning of a series of long-term Leeds United exits among the summer loanees, says Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist told The Square Ball on 9 February that “there was no way back” for the Colombian winger following his acrimonious loan deal on the summer window Deadline Day, and he expected various others who left on temporary deals will follow him with transfer moves.
Sinisterra has now joined Tyler Adams in signing for the Cherries permanently, but the likes of Max Wober, Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson have as-yet unresolved futures.
Hay said (2m 25s): “Leeds saw no way of him coming back, and I think this will be the beginning of a traipse of players who were here in the relegation season leaving permanently, or certainly going elsewhere for the longer term.
“There was no way back, and it was similar with Tyler Adams, it had got so bitter and twisted at the crucial point where it was stay or go. Adams decided he wanted to go, and similar with Sinisterra, the threat of legal action towards the end of the previous window meant there was no way back, a bit of bad blood there.”
Permanent Leeds United for Sinisterra first of many
Most of those who left on loan in the summer will have a task on their hands to win the fans back over if they return to Elland Road in the summer.
Given how strongly the squad is performing under Daniel Farke this season there looks to be a solid base to build from without loanees coming back.
Whether this side is capable of doing as well in the Premier League is a valid question, but aside from Wober and Jack Harrison that is also a question that could easily be levelled at those who departed in the summer.
So if there is money on the table Angus Kinnear is sure to be ready to take it to spend on a new set of players without the same baggage.
The Leeds United CEO expressed his surprise and disappointment at how eager players were to leave following relegation [Square Ball, 7 September], so while Farke himself has brought the likes of Willy Gnonto and Charlie Cresswell in from the cold he might not have to make the decision on others.
And for the most part there probably wouldn’t be much disappointment the fanbase if there are more permanent deals done, although whether the club can get as much value out of some names as they did from Sinisterra is surely in doubt.
In other Leeds United news, the cash paid by Bournemouth is to be shared among four clubs.
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