Leeds United Announce Retained List

Good Morning. It's Monday 19th May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Leeds United Announce Retained List

Leeds are currently engaged in discussions with Junior Firpo and Sam Byram regarding potential contract extensions, as their current deals are set to expire on June 30th. However, Josuha Guilavogui will be released upon the expiration of his contract on the same date.

The club has offered new terms to James Debayo, who made two substitute appearances for the first team last season. In addition, promising Academy players Rory Mahady, Coban Bird, and Harvey Vincent have also been offered fresh contracts, as their current deals are also expiring this summer.

Unfortunately, eleven Academy players will be departing. Harry Christy, Cian Coleman, Connor Ferguson, Max McFadden, Amari Miller, Kris Moore, Joe Richards, Joe Snowdon, Luca Thomas, and Dan Toulson will not be offered new deals and will be leaving at the end of the month.

Firpo and Byram are the most prominent names on the list, and Leeds United is still considering their futures with the club. Firpo made 35 appearances last season, contributing 14 goal involvements from his left-back position. Byram proved to be a reliable understudy, making 39 appearances, primarily in the same position.

Guilavogui, a 34-year-old veteran, joined the club as a free agent in the fall following an injury crisis in Daniel Farke's midfield. While he was never a regular starter, the seven-time France international made 18 appearances, primarily as a late substitute to help secure leads.

The decisions regarding the Academy players reflect the club's ongoing efforts to develop young talent and build a strong foundation for the future. While it is always difficult to see players leave, these decisions are necessary to ensure the club's continued growth and success.





Solomon's scuppered Marseille move leaves Whites with strong advantage

Leeds United's pursuit of Manor Solomon has received a significant boost, with the player's agent suggesting a preference for staying in the Premier League (now that the Marseille deal has been scuppered). Shlomi Ben Ezra's recent statement has shifted the landscape of Solomon's future, signaling a strong advantage for the Whites.

Previously, a move to Marseille seemed the likely option for Solomon, offering the allure of Champions League football. However, Ben Ezra has now ruled out the French club due to "political reasons". Solomon himself remained unusually tight-lipped about his future, even amidst celebrations for his team's promotion back to the Premier League. This silence has fueled speculation and intrigue surrounding his next move.

While Leeds United will undoubtedly be encouraged by the latest developments, they remain cautious about overspending. Tottenham are reportedly seeking £20 million for the Israeli international, but Leeds are believed to have set their valuation closer to £15 million, reflecting their awareness of a limited transfer budget this summer.

A potential compromise could involve a swap deal. Tottenham are known admirers of Pascal Struijk, valued at around £25 million by Leeds. If a deal could be structured that sees Solomon move to Elland Road, Struijk go the other way, and Leeds receive a cash adjustment of approximately £7.5 million, it could potentially satisfy all parties involved. This scenario would allow Spurs to acquire a long-term target in Struijk while Leeds secure Solomon and bolster their finances.

Ultimately, Solomon's desire to remain in the Premier League puts Leeds in a strong position. Whether they can negotiate a suitable fee or engineer a creative swap deal remains to be seen, but the Whites are now firmly in the driver's seat for securing the talented winger's signature.