09 Aug 2026 20:48:54
Shea Charles off to Fulham for £25m plus £5m add ons. Sorry to some extent that that boat has sailed. He is a good player with potential to develop more. The indications were that he wanted to come to Leeds but we played the game that everyone does- come in low and gradually up the bid.


Ay £30m I think it's too big a gamble and we move on to cheaper, and hopefully just as talented, alternatives.

1.) 10 Aug 2026
09 Aug 2026 21:41:07
Great news imo!

Leeds United already have Amps, Longstaff, Gruev, Tanaka, Wilson, BA and Stach.

So the LUFC midfield is literally "stacked"!

LUFC can move on to recruiting players for positions they do really need.

2.) 10 Aug 2026
09 Aug 2026 21:54:12
If we'd got Charles, one of the midfield would have been moved on, probably AO or Gruev.
The other problem we might have is that Gruev and BA have one year left, and if they aren't offered, or don't sign, new contracts, then they should be sold.

3.) 10 Aug 2026
09 Aug 2026 22:03:05
We are never progressing with Gruev or Baracus, they need to go.

Gruev, forever backwards / sidewards.
Brendan can't stay on his feet.

How many more times do both of them get to confirm that each match day?

4.) 10 Aug 2026
09 Aug 2026 22:13:44
Decent points, Dune. But I am quite sure neither the injured Gruev nor BA will be leaving Leeds United this window.

BA may indeed run his final year of his contract down, rather than sign a new LUFC contract.



But BA will still be a very useful squad player for us this season.

I am pretty relaxed about our midfield. It's recruiting a striker and LB that is an absolute must!

And just a few weeks to go of window. ? ?

5.) 10 Aug 2026
09 Aug 2026 22:19:48
Chris, BA had a good season. His pressing was phenomenal, and he scored and assisted. A good squad player for one more season, perhaps.

6.) 10 Aug 2026
09 Aug 2026 22:43:35
I think both deserve new deals if they are willing to keep their roles as they are. BA is rotation, permanently on the brink of starter on merit.

Gruev is a backup, but (so far at least) an honest one who is content to fight honestly for minutes, and would legitimately be serviceable in an emergency and experienced enough to use in cup games with youngsters. He's only on 15k a week, by some reports, which is a pittance for Prem. A true pessimist might say keeping him around in case we go down; he knows and does well in the Championship.

He also is a class act in the community department. Goes out of his way to engage. And that is worth something.

A true caveat: if either want more time than they are getting, or we get a good offer for Aaronson from MLS looking to capitalise on WC interest, then ofc, thanks and good luck.

I think we let some excellent characters go too early last time. Players who weren't top quality but were top character and squad chemistry. Like Alioski.

7.) 10 Aug 2026
09 Aug 2026 23:50:40
Tbh, if we have a weak link in mf, I think it AO. Not been impressed by him for a while now. Too slow making decisions, runs down blind alleys and gives ball away a lot. I'd have Gruev and BA over AO any day.

8.) 10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026 06:24:31
He didn't, Baz, he had a period of about 6-7 games where he was better than he ever had been (that's still not saying much) .

And, by that I mean he didn't fall over 27 times a game.

He reverted back to type then after that.

I have enough clock watching done on Baracus now for me to believe it's never going to happen.

Sell
Selll
Sell even though I know it won't happen due to Farke's clear approval of Brendan.

9.) 10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026 08:25:17
Agree with Aus on Tanaka. He looked fantastic in the Championship, but now looks like he is unable to make the step up to the much higher quality of the Premiership.
Aaronson has his moments, but he is not the player for me to go forward.

I feel Gnonto has more bite and industry than he does.

Charles is only worth 20 Mil. Fulham are taking a risk with a player that only looks great in the Championship. Like Tanaka, they can flatter to deceive once in the Prem.

10.) 10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026 08:35:27
Well, Chris, of course we can defo do much better than BA with better players, but that will probably be after this forthcoming seez.

I think BA's very frantic pressing is a big part of the reason he falls over sometimes.



Keeping it up to date and current, BA was a "game changer" when he came on against Liverpool. Much needed energy, a crucial goal and assist.

11.) 10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026 08:37:55
Not sure, OP, how Gnonto has more 'industry' than BA ..

And, as for bite, zero EPL goals and assists for WG, in comparison to BA 5 goals and 4 assists, clearly states otherwise.

12.) 10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026 09:39:03
BA has looked good in all the pre-season, especially the last couple of games.

He has built up in size too; I think some folks are not paying attention to how he is developing physically.

He did not fall over at the weekend, and he kept the ball well.

I am not his biggest fan, but I can see the 2026 version of BA looks a tad stronger and more confident.

13.) 10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026 11:26:50
And also an improvement on 25 BA. Cut the guy some slack. He dug in. And loves the club. We need a few fillers like this.

14.) 10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026 12:30:37
Gnonto has not been given the time to improve in the Premiership like Aaronson has. Willy, for me, takes more risks and shows bravery on the pitch. Also, I believe his passing accuracy is better than Aaronson.

15.) 10 Aug 2026
10 Aug 2026 13:27:01
Aus, ani4ni, fully agree. Some just love kicking him down. I think he is doing well, and as you say, he loves Leeds.