09 Jul 2026 05:35:41
I know we are trying to get a player at a cheaper price, but all this
Leeds are going back with a better offer, just drags it all out and makes us sometimes left high and dry.

Don’t see other clubs go back and forth as much as us.
Why not put best offer in and say: You got 7 days. Or we move on to a different player.

1.) 09 Jul 2026
09 Jul 2026 07:44:46
Quite agree, Aus. I have a horrible feeling we are going to leave everything till the last minute again - players coming in after the season has started.

That has the knock-on effect of trying to get us playing like a team with several new faces on board.



It's late September/early October before things settle down and everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing.

Come on, Leeds - World Cup nearly over, let's move things on at a pace!

2.) 09 Jul 2026
09 Jul 2026 07:49:51
I agree, Aus. Although we are not privy to the exact details of what's going on, it does seem to happen a lot, and then other teams nip in and get them cheaper than we thought. An example was last season; we were after that creative midfielder, we went back and forth, and he eventually went abroad for less than what the press were quoting.

If you want someone, don't quibble over a million or 2. Just do it.

3.) 09 Jul 2026
09 Jul 2026 08:47:48
Indeed Dougie, should quibbling over a million or two be part of the process?

4.) 09 Jul 2026
09 Jul 2026 10:20:59
Last season, most of our signings were in place before our friendlies, so hardly last minute. Funny how some here, who complain that we don't do things quick enough, are usually the same people arguing that we have a week of the window left, and not doing anything!

As for quibbling over a couple of million, that might be the difference with complying with the rules or what's available for other options, but of course our armchair recruitment team knows best.

5.) 09 Jul 2026
09 Jul 2026 12:28:26
Touchy, touchy, Ani.
Not saying we know best, just throwing opinions about.
Seems like you've picked up Opti's favourite reference.
Some on here, lol.
Chill, buddy.

6.) 09 Jul 2026
09 Jul 2026 12:44:42
I disagree with the idea that we are not decisive in the transfer market.
Concerning Charles, we have made two offers for a Championship player who has no experience in the Premiership.
Rule number one, don't be held to ransom by a selling club for an overpriced player.

The club have tried to buy Charles for the price they think he is worth.

The offers have been turned down, and now it's on to the next target.
I honestly don't see any issues in this activity. Charles could be a complete flop in the Premiership; it's a huge divide in quality, and one he might not live up to.
That's a very expensive risk to take in these PSR or whatever it's called now, times.

7.) 09 Jul 2026
09 Jul 2026 14:30:27
Reports we went back with at least two better offers, Opti. Your thoughts on that strategy, please. Chip in, Ani. More opinions the better.

8.) 09 Jul 2026
09 Jul 2026 19:43:51
Well, my strategy, if I was in charge of recruitment, would be to give indications that we were in for players that we have no intention of buying, since a) it causes disruption to the host team, b) unsettles said player, c) likely creates a bidding war for those genuinely in for the player.

Does anyone not believe Anderson to City at such an elevated price was because City were terrified of missing out? Lots of "fake" interest all over Europe, but not a single bid from anyone else. Anyone thinking Spurs approach is the best one?

As for multiple bids, well I m pretty sure everyone here just pays the asking price on everything they buy (home, car etc) . It s likely that it is a set of moving pieces, that add up to the final offer, e.g., will the player and/or agent take a smaller cut, lower salary to facilitate a move? Would a higher salary, bonus facilitate a move, or a longer contract, facilitate a lower initial outlay? A lower sell on percentage etc.

Anyone thinking that buying a player is just a case of turning up with your cheque book is rather naive. (Unless you work for Man City)

When we were in for a big contract, either trying to win it or let it out, I forbid anyone to even mention it by name, location or country. They all had a random code name, so important was it to prevent any competitor to get wind of what we were doing. 90% of the organisation had no clue what we were doing. We never announced any pricing, delivery or scope even when we won said contract. Suppliers were forbidden to even announce they had won a contract from us; they could do it only once the contract was over (often years later) .

This information is gold dust.

I suspect our recruitment team operates in a similar way. Misdirection is key.