Leeds Rumours Mobile

28 May 2026 12:57:11
There is a tiny disagreement going on at the moment regarding next season's formation. Farke wants to revert back to his preferred formation and the board want him to stick with the current one.

Does this mean transfer targets haven’t even been discussed between both parties as they don’t even know which formation will be played?

Can’t buy players when you don’t even know if there is going to be a need for that position or not.

28 May 2026 13:28:38
Good post, Lad, and very concerning. Farke has to go for me if he is insisting on his 4 3 2 1 formation.

For me, we must continue with 5 3 2 formation. 3 CBs and 2 wing backs.

We look so defensively weak, and concede far too many when we play just 2 CBs, esp if one of the CBs is Pascal.



Both Gabi and Bogle are also weak links defensively in 4 at the back at EPL level.

28 May 2026 13:30:09
Amendment
4 - 3- 1- 2 formation.

28 May 2026 13:31:48
No, as we'll be fluid between formations.

And, we can sign players that would suit both a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3 (eg. wingers that can play centrally like Okafor) , or centre-mids that fit in either.

28 May 2026 14:15:36
Farke needs to remain pragmatic and flexible, as he showed last term. I think the most successful coaches, whilst maybe beholden to a system, are flexible to some degree. Those who aren't, like Amorim, face the music sooner or later.

I actually don't mind exploring other options beyond the 5-3-2. I think the main reason a 4-2-3-1 hasn't worked for us is the defensive vulnerability and the lack of a competent 10.

That being said, 5-3-2 ought to remain our primary 'Plan A' formation for now. Other sides are well versed in how we use it, but still find it very difficult to break down, as evidenced by, what was it, just 4 defeats post November, and two of those were against City and Arsenal.

28 May 2026 11:28:46
Leeds United are in formal talks with Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, and have been for the past couple weeks.

28 May 2026 12:25:08
Be flabbergasted.
It won't happen, thankfully.

As we need to spend our transfer budget on goalscoring players, not blow a large wedge of it on expensive gks.

Citeh spent around £30 million transfer fee getting Trafford from Burnley, and they would want that, or probably even more.



Give Darlow a new contract as number 1.

Perri as our number 2 (unless a club comes in with same transfer fee we paid, which is unlikely imo) .

28 May 2026 12:41:01
Absolutely agree, Baz. £30 m on Trafford compared to a better contract for Darlow, when that would more than buy Elliot or induce Wilson to come, or both.

28 May 2026 13:30:58
Trafford is absolute miles better than Darlow and is easily worth the money. The club would be idiots to go into the season with Darlow starting - a 35-year-old career backup.

28 May 2026 13:56:06
Spicy Dave, so Darlow has had a good season, has he not?

If we had an unlimited transfer budget, then sure, spend £30 million plus on a gk.. but we don't.

Much more pressing priorities. Player upgrades needed elsewhere, up top and in midfield.

28 May 2026 14:09:51
There's absolutely no way we are getting Trafford unless it's a loan deal.

28 May 2026 14:24:55
I've said, and agree, that whilst we could stand to improve the goalkeeping situation, absolutely, it's not near the top of the urgency list. I'd be content to go with a Darlow/Perri as a lower/mid table pairing. Perri deservedly lost the No.1 jersey, but is good enough to keep Darlow honest if his form markedly drops beyond the odd error.

Crucially, the defense trust Darlow. You can see it with Rodon, Ampadu, Bijol, etc. They know he has it. Not like Meslier, and initially Perri, there were some doubts. Perri looks like an ideal cup keeper (based on level and penalty ability, if not wage) for now, and biding his time.

If the right deal for Trafford came along, I'd 100% jump at it. I can't see it. I can see Newcastle looking to upgrade on Pope/Ramsdale with Trafford, as they so nearly did last summer.

30m makes sense for them. Not for us. We could then have the pick of Ramsdale or Pope if we really wanted them. I wouldn't take Pope.

Ramsdale could be a maybe, if Southampton need to sell a further year removed from optimal parachute payments. I think Newcastle's option was £25m (what Southampton had paid Arsenal) . They can't afford his wages. If this all played out, I might entertain £15m (maybe to £17.5m with escalators) or another opportunistic loan. A year of largely benchwarming means they can't expect his value to have held. They'll want more, in which case I'd be out.

If we did that, we'd have to fail to retain Darlow or sell Perri (the preferred option) .

27 May 2026 21:21:36
Just wanted to say I’ve moved roles at work so will be working less with Leeds United directly, still will obviously have friends in places to tell me things but I won’t have any “insider” information anymore unfortunately.

27 May 2026 21:47:50
No problem, Lad. Appreciate the info you were able to pass in the past.

28 May 2026 08:01:26
Hope it's a good move for you either way, Lad! Good luck!

28 May 2026 12:49:25
Thanks Alf and Bright.

27 May 2026 19:56:22
Leeds United are interested in securing the signing of Lukas Hornicek, according to reports from @BolaNaRedePT.

27 May 2026 20:49:14
Young and tall with good stats. There'll be more linked before the window closes, but personally I'd keep Darlow as no. 1 if he wants to stay.

28 May 2026 12:26:59
Yep, keep Darlow as number 1. We have far more pressing player needs further up the pitch which need reinforcing.

27 May 2026 19:45:28
Looking likely and not a surprise that Sebastiaan Bornauw will be heading back to the Bundesliga to join FC Koln.
Can’t see him being sold for any more than he was bought for which I believe was 5Mil.

27 May 2026 10:00:45
According to a dubious account on X, we are leading the race to sign Philadelphia Union midfielder Jovan Lukić.

27 May 2026 13:03:15
Saw that. That's a padder, I would say. 😬

27 May 2026 13:34:08
At £2.5 m probably, but Tanaka didn't cost much more.

27 May 2026 07:38:01
First far fetched rumour of the summer? Paulo Dybala on a free, when he leaves Roma.
Creative, and for free, but chances of happening imo? 2/10.

27 May 2026 08:57:56
Agreed, can't see anything like this happening with undoubtedly huge wage demands. Also, I'd question if Farke can handle a big star ego in the squad.

24 May 2026 09:24:41
New rumour started today that we're interested in Shea Charles. Not seen a lot of him myself, but some who have rate him highly.

24 May 2026 12:48:35
Did see him in one game this season and was impressed for sure. Haven't seen enough to know if he's good enough though.

24 May 2026 14:04:03
Not sure why we would be interested in him tbh. What does he bring to improve our team or squad?

24 May 2026 15:35:02
He's a good player and if we are looking at him we won't be the only ones. In addition to his talent, his height and his athleticism, he brings some versatility to the team as well.

He's primarily a defensive midfielder, but can play CB, RB, and more advanced as well.
I like the idea of having one or two in the squad who can fill several roles. It worked well with Madeley.

25 May 2026 09:42:11
Think, as well as looking at versatility, we need to focus on specialists. In the key positions needed.

25 May 2026 12:55:31
Agreed. New striker (or two) , AM and 2x WB plus replacements for any we offload.
Re Madeley, I think during his career he played with every outfield number on his back, including 9 - although I stand to be corrected on that.

25 May 2026 13:29:13
Madeley shirts 2 to 12.

23 May 2026 03:57:37
Linked with David now. Have always liked him although his season with Juve not up to much. Is he prem quality though? Def worth considering.

23 May 2026 07:48:04
He's been touted around the Premier League. Another, like Openda, had a good record, but a move to Italy has not worked out. Different style of play, better defences.
He's certainly worth a look on a loan with option to buy or obligation based on his performance and staying up.

24 May 2026 20:25:57
He's bloody great! No idea why he'd be tempted to come to Leeds, maybe a year or two early for that level player. Would need big wages, and a steady stream of birds.