Good Morning. It's Tuesday 8th September and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds dodged a bullet as failed transfer paved way for James Trafford
Sometimes in football, things happen for a reason. Leeds supporters around the world are naturally ecstatic about the signing of James Trafford, but the England shot-stopper would never have arrived at Elland Road had things gone to plan earlier in the summer. Before Leeds eventually got their man, the Whites had made a formal offer for Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. Had Benfica said yes, Trafford would be playing his football somewhere else right now. Instead, the Portuguese giants rejected Leeds approach because they believed Juventus were preparing to come calling with considerably more money. For Leeds, what initially looked like a transfer setback may have turned into one of the biggest blessings of the summer.According to Ukrainian journalist Mykhailo Spivakovskyi, Leeds were serious about signing the 25-year-old Ukrainian international. Speaking on TaToTake, picked up by Portuguese outlet A Bola, Spivakovskyi revealed that Leeds didn't merely enquire about Trubin, they actually made Benfica an offer. Aston Villa and Spurs were also linked with the 6ft 6in goalkeeper, but Leeds appear to have taken their interest further than most. Benfica weren't interested. The Lisbon club reportedly believed Juventus would eventually make their move and hoped the Italian giants would pay somewhere between €30m and €40m (£26m-£34.7m) for Trubin. There was only one problem. Juventus never came. One rejection changed everything for the Whites.
Leeds couldn't afford to spend the summer waiting for Benfica to make up their minds. They needed a goalkeeper, and turned their attentions elsewhere. That decision ultimately led them to James Trafford, and looking back now, Leeds supporters will be delighted that Benfica slammed the door in their faces. Trafford arrived at Elland Road with a huge reputation and the potential to be Leeds' number one for many years to come. What could easily have been viewed as a frustrating rejection earlier in the transfer window, turned out to be a massive blessing in disguise. There is another twist to the story. While Leeds moved on and secured Trafford, Benfica's decision to wait for Juventus hasn't exactly produced the outcome they were hoping for.
Trubin remained in Lisbon and has since lost his place in the starting XI. His contract situation has also become a talking point. Spivakovskyi claims Benfica have offered the Ukrainian a new deal – but on lower wages than he currently earns. Benfica are now apparently looking to reduce that financial burden, either through a transfer or by convincing him to accept a lower salary. It's quite a turnaround. Trubin remains a talented goalkeeper with international and Champions League experience, and there is nothing to suggest he couldn't have been a success at Elland Road. But when you consider how events have unfolded since Benfica rejected Leeds' offer, there probably aren't too many supporters wishing the deal had gone through. Sometimes things really do happen for a reason, and looking back now, Leeds may just have dodged a bullet.
Leeds already found an £8.5m bargain in Nico Elvedi
When Sebastiaan Bornauw departed Elland Road to join Hamburg on loan, Daniel Farke knew exactly who he wanted as a replacement; the answer was Nico Elvedi. Leeds ended up paying Borussia Mönchengladbach £8.5m for the Swiss international, reuniting him with a manager who already knew exactly what he could offer. Farke's familiarity with Elvedi shouldn't be underestimated. The centre-back made 34 appearances under the Leeds boss during their time together at Gladbach, more than any other player during Farke's spell in charge of the Bundesliga club.That existing relationship meant Leeds weren't buying an unknown quantity, and the early signs suggest it has helped Elvedi settle remarkably quickly. There has been very little evidence of the adaptation period often associated with players moving from the Bundesliga to the Premier League. Elvedi has already played 236 minutes across Leeds' last three matches in all competitions, and at 29, he looks ready-made for the demands of English football. On his debut against Nottingham Forest, the 6ft 2in defender won six of his ten duels, but it was his performance away at Brighton that really demonstrated what Leeds may have acquired.
With Joe Rodon sidelined with a hamstring injury, Elvedi completed the full 90 minutes and produced ten defensive contributions, consisting of seven clearances, two blocks and an interception. He also won four of his eight aerial battles and completed 86% of his passes, helping Leeds come away with an important Premier League point. Perhaps most encouragingly, he hasn't looked like a player trying to find his feet in a new country and a new league. He looks like he's been here for months. There could also be another dimension to Elvedi's game which proves particularly useful to Leeds.
His aerial ability isn't restricted to defending his own penalty area. Against Brighton, the Swiss international caused problems at the opposite end of the pitch, creating two big chances with headers across goal from set-pieces. Across his opening three Leeds appearances, Elvedi has already created three chances, including two classified as big chances. That isn't necessarily a coincidence. Last season in the Bundesliga he created three big chances and registered two assists, while he has provided at least one assist in four of his previous five seasons with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
It gives Leeds another sizeable target to attack from corners and free-kicks – an area of the game that became an increasingly important weapon for Farke last season. Leeds scored 16 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League, reportedly the sixth-highest total in the division. With the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin already providing a major aerial presence, adding Elvedi into the equation gives opposition defenders more to worry about. There were understandable questions when Bornauw was allowed to leave, particularly after a strong pre-season. But Leeds didn't simply allow one centre-back to leave and hope for the best. They replaced him with a 75-cap Swiss international upgrade, with more than a decade of Bundesliga experience. For around £8.5m, that increasingly looks like sensible business.
Leeds secure academy ace from Manchester United
Leeds United have completed the signing of 16-year-old winger Silva Mexes from Manchester United. The highly rated attacker (left winger) crossed the Pennines after talks over a first-team pathway at Old Trafford broke down. Mexes has signed a two-year scholarship at Elland Road and will initially join the Under-18s at Thorp Arch. His full name is Silva Mexes Tyler-Earnshaw and is the son of former Wales and Premier League striker Robert Earnshaw. He qualifies for Thailand through his mother and has already represented the Thailand Under-17s, scoring at the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup.He started in the junior ranks at Ipswich Town, before joining Manchester United in 2024 aged 14, but never established himself in the U18s. Leeds had been tracking him for months after contract talks stalled. His standout trait is his elite pace - a recorded 11.1 second 100m personal best. He is the second recent academy-to-academy move from Manchester United to Leeds, following midfielder Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher’s permanent switch earlier in 2026. Leeds have already promised Mexis a professional contract when he turns 17 in March next year. He is expected to feature for the U18s with a view to stepping up to the U21s.
