Leeds now reach agreement to seal another new signing, beat Manchester United to deal – reports
Leeds United have reached an agreement to sign Leicester City defender Luke Thomas ahead of Manchester United, according to Last Word on Sports.
The English media outlet reported on Wednesday (30 August) that the agreement with the Foxes is signed and sealed to secure the services of the 22-year-old.
Daily Mail reported on 28 August that Manchester United were also hoping to sign him ahead of the deadline.
Good move
The Whites desperately need a left-back ahead of the transfer deadline and by the looks of it, they’re getting one.
Junior Firpo’s injury woes are there for everyone to see and even when fit he’s not been the player Leeds thought they were signing from Barcelona.
The Catalan side thought he would be the heir apparent to Jordi Alba after how well he performed at Real Betis.
However, that did not happen and Marcelo Bielsa’s hope to turn him into that same player also failed and he’s now considered a liability at Elland Road.
Thomas is certainly and upgrade on the Spanish youth international and hopefully, there are no late snags in the deal.
Manchester United perhaps could not guarantee him playing time which is what has seen him prefer a move to Elland Road instead.
In a related development
Done deal: Leeds United sign Tottenham defender Djed Spence
Leeds United have completed the signing of Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence, with the full-back set to join the Whites on a season-long loan.
Spence – a Fulham academy product – broke onto the scene at Middlesbrough, a side where he made 70 appearances in total over a period of four years.
The most notable period of Spence’s career thus far, however, occurred in the 2021/22 campaign, when his right-back position’s incisive forward runs and ball-carrying skills were crucial in helping Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest team win promotion to the top division.
The full-back demonstrated his offensive skills during his tenure at the City Ground by scoring three goals and providing five assists.
Spurs, who were able to beat off Forest for Spence’s signature when the 23-year-old joined the North London team for a £20 million price last summer, were well aware of his performances for the Tricky Trees.
The right-back’s experience with the then-Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte was far from ideal; he only made six substitute appearances for the club before being loaned to Rennes in January, where he had a similarly unsuccessful stint.
“Leeds United are delighted to announce the signing of Djed Spence from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur,” read a statement from Leeds announcing the deal.
When the fullback lands at Elland Road on a season-long loan, he becomes the club’s sixth addition of the summer.
Spence will give the Whites some much-needed strength at fullback, where Leeds has struggled the most since the beginning of the current campaign.
The 23-year-old might make his Championship debut this Saturday when Leeds hosts Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road.
