Report: Leeds now set to beat Fulham, Corberan and Heckingbottom in race for £37k-a-week star Leeds United News
Although it appears as though Leeds rushed in and everything went smoothly, it appears that in reality Leeds beat off many clubs, including Premier League teams Fulham, Burnley, and Sheffield United, to recruit him.
In addition to beating Heckingbottom, Leeds fended off interest from Carlos Corberan, another former Leeds player, who was pursued by West Brom. Ampadu was also desired by Coventry. But he’s scheduled to relocate to Elland Road soon.
Leeds beat likes of West Brom and Sheffield United to Ampadu signing
Hopefully, Ampadu opens the flood gates. Leeds not only need a signing in the form of Ampadu, but a goalkeeper too. A left-sided defender with Junior Firpo likely to go. Another midfielder, a no.10 and possibly a new striker.
So, there is plenty of work to be done. Ampadu is an excellent start but new signings are needed on top of the Wales ace. Whether or not the Whites can get some more signings in before August 6, remains to be seen
Leeds: Farke could ditch Firpo for Sam Byram
The German tactician is reportedly set for a reunion with the former Norwich City defender
After a slow start to the summer window, it looks as if Leeds United are beginning to step up their transfer dealings, with manager Daniel Farke now being tipped to make a move for one of his former assets…
What are the latest Leeds transfer rumours?
With The Athletic’s Phil Hay reporting that the Yorkshire giants have reached an agreement for the signing of Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has also reported that Farke is “set to reunite” with ex-Norwich City defender, Sam Byram.
In his attached piece for 90min, Bailey adds that the German tactician is looking to add the 29-year-old to his ranks alongside Ampadu, with the Englishman set to be available on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Carrow Road.
This follows reports late last week that suggested the Elland Road outfit had taken the versatile full-back on trial, with the 5 foot 11 machine having begun his career on the books at Leeds, making 143 appearances in all competitions before departing in 2016.
Should Leeds sign Sam Byram?
The links to the one-time West Ham United man have come amid Leeds’ dire need to strengthen their defensive ranks, with the current squad looking rather light with regard to full-back options, in particular, following the loan departure of Rasmus Kristensen to AS Roma.
While Farke does have the returning Cody Drameh to help provide cover and competition for Luke Ayling at right-back, on the opposite flank a new addition appears a matter of urgency, with Junior Firpo currently the only senior option in that left-sided berth.
The former Barcelona player, who moved to Yorkshire on a £13 million deal back in 2021, is expected to leave Elland Road after a miserable two years at the club. Notably, he started just 14 Premier League games last season.
The 26-year-old’s troubles last term were revealed by the fact that he registered an average match rating of just 6.55, according to Sofascore, ranking him in 22nd position among his teammates and frequently seeming “flat-footed or fast asleep,” as described by analyst Paddy Kenny.
The arrival of Byram, a former Leeds academy graduate who previously made 20 appearances at Norwich under Farke’s direction, may then be bad news for Firpo because the Thurrock-born star might end up fitting better in that left-back position.
The out-of-contract defender, described as a “quality player” by journalist Jack Reeve, appears to be able to offer more offensively than his Leeds counterpart, as evidenced by the fact that he has averaged 6.50 forward passes and 3.25 forward carries per 90 over the past 365 days.
Byram is obviously a player who can contribute creatively while playing defense, in stark contrast to Firpo, who averages just 3.55 and 1.32 for those same two measures, respectively.
While Firpo does outperform Byram in terms of tackles made per 90 (3.09 vs. 2.58), the former Real Betis player has actually shown himself to be somewhat of a liability. Byram, on the other hand, was dribbled past just 0.3 times per game in the Championship.
As a result, the latter player might represent the all-around package at full-back due to his attack-mindedness and capacity for a stern defensive presence, both of which Firpo has notably lacked over the past two years.
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Robbie joined Snack as a member of the company’s academy program and was chosen to join their flagship website, Football FanCast, as an opinion writer. He later worked his way up the ranks and is now occasionally employed as a sub-editor.
Leeds: Yussuf Poulsen could Farke’s next Isak
Leeds United could be set to hand Daniel Farke a new man to spearhead his reign, who bears a striking resemblance to an old star of his…
Who is Yussef Poulsen?
The most recent information on that potential transfer came early last week, when it was said that the Whites were considering a move for Yussuf Poulsen of RB Leipzig.
Standing at 6 feet 4, the imposing striker has had a generally wasteful career but has a remarkable work ethic that might help a team with a new look.
The 29-year-old began his career in his own country before relocating to Germany in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since. He has been a pillar of the club’s Red Bull revolution since they were in the third tier and rose all the way to the Bundesliga.
He might be getting ready to move out at this point, going to Elland Road to help get another promotion. Only one year remains on the speedster’s £66k per week contract.
The lanky frontman’s physical resemblance to Alexander Isak, whom the German manager briefly supervised while serving as head coach of Borussia Dortmund’s reserve squad, would probably catch Farke’s attention.
How many goals did Alexander Isak score last season?
The coach has since guided Norwich City to two Championship promotions, and the Swedish international has become Newcastle United’s record signing after coming from Real Sociedad. Both of these guys have come a long way since their last encounter.
The gangly forward adjusted well to English football’s toughness during his debut season there last year. In just 22 Premier League games, he would score 10 goals, excelling in a season marred by injuries.
Although he likely is a far more technically-superior asset, given he has also starred from the wing, Poulsen has also shown a similar turn of pace to rival this dynamism, clocking a 21.2 mph top speed in the Bundesliga just five years ago. That has since dropped to a still-strong 18.95 mph.
When compared to other attackers in Europe, the 6 foot 4 Magpies star, who is 23 years old, exhibits that youthful exuberance well. According to FBref, he ranks in the top 5% for blocks made per 90 and the top 7% for successful takedowns per 90.
The two are actually brought closer together by the RB Leipzig player’s strong defensive work rate, which was praised by colleague Willi Orban: “With or without the ball, he’s a machine. Additionally, he works incredibly hard for us.
He would bring a wealth of experience to Yorkshire and boast 68 caps for his nation.
Not to mention that, despite not finding it as frequently as he would like, he does know where the back of the net is.
He only managed to score four goals last season in all competitions, compared to six the year before in the Bundesliga alone. However, even in a league as physically demanding as the Championship, his sheer physicality would show to be a big benefit.
Farke might try to rethink his relationship with Isak even though their time together was brief by signing Poulsen this summer.
