04 Aug 2026 16:35:05
This Trafford transfer saga must be the longest in football history, I understand that there are many things to iron out but for goodness sake.
04 Aug 2026 17:37:15
Just the longest since the last one, Bri! 😉
04 Aug 2026 18:04:41
That was us as well, Bright. 💤
04 Aug 2026 20:17:31
Lol! Yep! Probably! 😬🤣
04 Aug 2026 20:19:50
No other club in the league gets walked upon like Leeds.
Need to be more forceful, quicker, to get stuff done.
Underwood is not the man to take Leeds forward. I said it last year, I'll say it again, he's too nice.
04 Aug 2026 20:33:43
Absolutely, LLF. We agree, relegation clauses, players on loan with no obligation to buy, don't get good prices on most sales, pay top dollar on some buys, pursue players who string us along, and hand expensive contracts out to players who are at the back end of their careers.
Apart from that, I think Underwood is doing a good job. 😂
04 Aug 2026 21:00:10
Dune and LLF, absolutely.
04 Aug 2026 12:24:15
GG out for 3-8 weeks with hamstring.
04 Aug 2026 14:09:09
Hope it's the former end of the scale, Alf!
04 Aug 2026 14:16:09
That's a very wide time frame Alf. Who diagnosed him, Mr Bean. 🤣
04 Aug 2026 14:50:31
I think we should move him on in the winter window. Love the guy. Great enthusiasm and endeavour. But the end product and stats are not good. Think we need someone more reliable.
As I believe Alf said, it was a board decision to buy risky, injury-prone players on the cheap for profit.
Let's hope we get a decent fee for Namecheck. Dcl and other cheapies. And we are not thinking of selling Wilson to balance the books next summer. Depending on how good his season is, of course.
04 Aug 2026 15:04:34
It's still early days - difficult to be accurate when there is probably still swelling and more scans to happen.
04 Aug 2026 15:10:52
Couldn't disagree more, Aus. Watched him get doubled up on in a few games last Seez; his impact was so worrying for opposition.
He's a good player, and we should be grateful of him.
04 Aug 2026 15:50:14
Agree, Chris - he can be very dangerous, and one of our better signings last year. I think Daniel Farke picks him whenever he is available.
04 Aug 2026 15:54:20
This hopefully turns into a wonderful positive.
It should, hopefully, make it more likely Leeds United recruitment now do sign a LB this window.
And, hopefully, a potential LB starter signing, rather than just a mere back up.
04 Aug 2026 15:59:44
As regards Gabi, as Aus said, enthusiastic but no assists or goals as a LWB in EPL last seez, and I am not convinced by him defensively. Terry Cooper and Tony Dorigo he most definitely is not.
Gudmundsson is also injury prone, as we have seen. He has been out injured 332 days in the last 7 seasons.
Leeds United need better imo.
04 Aug 2026 11:46:44
Little off topic but I don't know if anyone is following the wildfires in the US?
My mum and sister were out there in Spokane (a little east of Seattle) at my aunt and uncles house. They all had to evacuate with 5 minutes notice. The house was burnt down to the ground.
A place where I spent easily 15-20 Christmases and a house that was a huge focal point for a large family (my mum was one of eight) . I get that Americans can often rub people to wrong way but its staggering the impact this has had in everyday people.
You hear on the news what USA and Canada are going through and obviously Spain France and greece. But it never quite seems real until it happens to you or someone close to you.
04 Aug 2026 13:46:10
The fires happen every year and do seem to be getting worse.
In my 19 years in Canada the difference in the winter severity is very noticeable TBH, so the climate is changing.
When you fly over Canada you get an idea of how much of the land is wooded.
Fortunately here in New Brunswick we are not as badly affected by actual fires but you notice the air quality and see the sun colour change due to the smoke.
04 Aug 2026 13:56:05
Sad news, Ealing! So sorry to hear of that.
Also sadly, it seems that this kind of thing is a new reality we all face for at least the mid term.
The wildfires here got to within 7kms of my village last year; our saving Grace is that its prime vineyards surrounding us, and if there's profit involved, there's no limit to what they will do to protect it all!
04 Aug 2026 14:55:39
I've been through a house fire. It's frightening. Truth.
I woke up thinking the window blinds were rattling inn the wind but it was flames crackling. Got my wife and dogs up. Running downstairs the lights went out and alarm went off. We all scrambled up the hill to a neighbour as front of house on fire.
It's nature. Next day. After fireman allowed us to. we went in the house. Half the house was gutted. Nothing left. But my boys Brms and playroom pristine. Untouched. That's the wind for you.
04 Aug 2026 17:40:14
Scary s*** that, Aus! Frightening!
04 Aug 2026 19:53:11
That's devastating for your family mate. Thank God no lives were lost.
04 Aug 2026 20:17:09
As Corkey says, Ealing, devastating and frightening.
03 Aug 2026 21:04:04
The whole Brandt saga has left a big big transfer impact on Leeds.
Were Leeds budgeting for the free transfer and are now in a bit of stuck?
Were we relying on this free transfer so we could fill other squad gaps?
I believe Leeds thought they had Brandt sewn up especially with the salary they offered.
Now we most likely will have to pay 30 plus for a similar playmaker which will obviously affect other transfer positions.
03 Aug 2026 21:23:08.
Corkey.. We need BA (Baracus not Aaronson) and the A Team Lads.
To sort out this increasingly problematic, messy window. 😒
..Or a savvy Director of Football.
03 Aug 2026 23:45:29
Personally, I think the central playmaker was a luxury attempt this window. Great if we can do it, not the top priority.
Goalkeeper.
2nd goalkeeper.
Left back.
Striker.
Playmaker.
Would be my order for needs.
Wilson is natural wide, capable of centre, and Aaronson is the opposite. I think it's a case of working out the best place to use one or both of them (if Wilson and James build a good understanding it could be James wide, Wilson central and Aaronson from the bench) .
The one exception for playmaker moving up the list would be Zian Flemming signing, who is a hybrid 9/10.
Otherwise Brandt was like Amiri a couple seasons ago. If we can do it it's a coup but a long shot and like Amiri didn't seem to really want to come anyway.
People will moan that we wasted time chasing him, but I think it was fair to put an offer on the table, especially for a free agent of his calibre. I think once he hadn't signed, shortly after looking around, ownership will have got the gist: he's a maybe, but don't plan on him signing now, and moved on.
04 Aug 2026 08:20:45
What problematic, messy window, Baz? We are on the outside looking through blacked out windows, with only chaff and click bait to view, so how on earth do we know the real situation/targets etc? I would suggest wait til the end of the window, then see where we are.
04 Aug 2026 08:51:28
What Vid said, none of us know actual targets for sure, so let's wait and see instead of having an unnecessary moan.
1 thing I do know, if we are including Meep Meep in Seez's plans, then we are asking for miracles.
How many more chances do we need to give him that Man U, Fulham, and ourselves haven't already given him?
He's a champo on his best day.
I won't reiterate my take on Baracus.
04 Aug 2026 08:52:27
But Vid, Baz is only giving balance to the site.
Unfortunately, every closed season is a shambolic mess that can only be cured with heads rolling.
This window is coming together quite well, once the Trafford signing is completed.
If our incomings this summer mirror the effectiveness of those from last summer's disastrous debacle, then we will have moved forward quite nicely between S1 and S2 back in the EPL. More positive steps upward and forward!
04 Aug 2026 09:01:30
Davey, yep ofc re end of window 🪟, which is soon, I might add.
From my perspective, the window became messy for LUFC, with the club not being able to keep Darlow at the club.
It's meant we have needed to sign not just one but two new keepers.
With one of them possibly costing £45 million, which likely impacts budget for other signings, including, for me, a vital striker signing.
Just a paltry 2 signings so far in 7 weeks of the window, Davey. Just 4 weeks remain. It's not looking that smooth, bruv.
04 Aug 2026 09:46:44
Certainly not a messy window; on the contrary, it's a very good one, especially when Trafford puts on his Leeds jersey.
Not all targets will choose our club, and to think they always will is very naive.
I'm still confident that there will be another, perhaps three, signings before the window closes.
So far, so good.
04 Aug 2026 10:02:07
Can you elaborate on your reasoning for a striker being more important than a keeper, please, Baz?
Romance? Goals win matches?
Over half the teams in the EPL didn't score 50 goals last season. Sunderland finished 7th on 42 goals.
We conceded 56, and only Spuds and the relegated teams conceded more. The reason West Ham went down over Spurs is goals conceded, as they were only two goals apart on goals scored.
Peri was dropped, and rightly so, after Newcastle away, and Darlow did a solid job. But, other than West Ham, you line up the bottom teams' keepers and all are superior to Karl.
I think it's brilliant we are aiming to buy the best young English keeper in the league. If he reduces our goals against further, last year's table shows there is a direct correlation between league position and goals conceded.
DCL being injured, I concede, is a strong argument for a new striker, but who will want to come to us on a second-season fight, knowing they will almost certainly be second choice to DCL?
Namecheck has looked good, was free, and is happy to fulfil the role, but I'm all in favour of another at the right age, price, and attitude.
Zian Fleming would, I believe, be good, and he's not ridiculously priced. Let the window play out again before commencing the autopsy, but a keeper is just as important as any striker, even more so in lesser-fancied teams with less financial clout and pull.
04 Aug 2026 10:24:06
Hi Class, .if and when Trafford signs, it will be interesting to know the details of the contract, re potential buy back clause and also release clause before deciding just how great a deal this is or not.
Yes ofc a good keeper is important. and they are out there for very reasonable transfer fees.
But for me, signing a good striker is even more important, as Leeds got very lucky with injuries last season.
both DCL and Nmecha are injury prone, and Farke very rarely uses Piroe, as he seemingly isn't up to EPL level.
Striker gems, that don't cost a fortune, are out there imo if recruitment and scouting are up to it, e.g. both Brentford and Bournemouth do the great value striker signings very well indeed, then later sell them on for huge profit.
04 Aug 2026 10:41:39
Name the reasonably priced keepers you want, Baz, along with the striker gems that don't cost a fortune.
We can then see how they do next season compared with who we buy.
04 Aug 2026 10:43:13
It's probably this scrutiny from esteemed Baz that is holding up the Trafford deal. Our recruitment team sweating over ever contract detail, with the constant nagging doubt as to whether or not its going to pass Baz's exacting standards!
On any given day Baz you flip flop - last week, we were "just pay the extra" to get the deal done."what is a couple of million? " This week, when the club is on the brink of paying what is necessary to get the deal done, it's back to there are cheaper options out there.
Baz is Aldi mode this week as we now should be seeking out Striker Gems.
Was DCL a "Striker Gem" Baz?
04 Aug 2026 10:59:14
I am not in LUFC recruitment and scouting dept, Canada, but are you suggesting that such players aren't out there?
Sunderland did well last seez, signing a good keeper in Roefs, who cost them a mere £9 million.
Brentford signed Mbuemo for a bargain £ 6 million, and sold him for a whopping £71 million.
Even Leeds did well, signing super Raphinha for a shrewd £17 million, selling him for £55 million.
04 Aug 2026 11:07:40
Ani, the fine details of a buy-back clause or release clause are important in the context of how good a deal is.
Yep. Paying a couple of million extra is fine if it gets the deal over the line.
04 Aug 2026 11:23:44
Thing is, Baz, is it better to get a great deal or a great player?
Would you turn down Trafford because of the deal, or would you like probably the best young English keeper presently?
We will never know anything about the deal in any event, so there seems little merit in debating it.
Suffice to say, it only matters to those involved in the deal and how they complete it.
In business, the best deal is the one you can get.
04 Aug 2026 11:40:58
No doubting Brentford, Bournemouth or indeed Brighton's scouting prowess; Baz, Thiago and Kroupi are excellent examples.
And, no argument from me over fitness concerns over our current strikers, but if you have the chance to sign England's future number 1 keeper, why wouldn't you.
And, I'm sure all Leeds United supporters are incredulous that prospects choose one of the above clubs over ourselves. Sadly, experience has shown us the bright lights of London and the south coast appear to be a more attractive draw, especially for players with families.
I hope our metric based recruitment improves things, but it will take time. Of greater concern is where are the raft of strikers coming through the academy; HG not ready yet, and Joseph not epl level, imo, sadly.
There's lots of rough diamonds out there, however. Picking the right ones that still retain our side before self togetherness (Cree wasn't) is the really tricky bit.
Powder dry. Let's see what we have at the end of the window. Always better to get the best option as opposed to the quickest one.
04 Aug 2026 12:02:34
Ani, see my post at 9.01am in thread re huge £45 million outlay on a gk potentially impacting on what funds are left for other vital recruitment positions in the window.
Good, fair follow up post, Class, as ever.
Anyways, chaps, enjoyable debate as ever.
Cheers.
04 Aug 2026 12:53:03
I'm suggesting you're all talk Baz. Whenever you complain lots and are asked to name names you won't!
You keep believing you know better fella, if that rocks your boat.
04 Aug 2026 13:39:52
Canada, .. I can assure you I don't think that necessarily.
I am a Leeds fan of 6 decades, merely giving my opinion on a myriad of subjects. .. that's all.
Enjoy your day, fella.
04 Aug 2026 14:14:42
Baz is 100% correct in that we need another striker. It would be foolhardy not to sign a number 9, especially with DCL and Nmecha potentially picking up injuries, and Piroe deemed not good enough.
04 Aug 2026 17:42:17
4 weeks left, within the context of it being a World Cup season, is not "soon"!
04 Aug 2026 18:01:50
Is your context going to change the number of days remaining, Bright? No. 4 weeks will be over in a flash.
04 Aug 2026 20:22:02
No. Nor will it change the fact that, in the eyes of most, a lot can and will happen in that time, and that 4 weeks is still plenty, as well as a hell of a lot better than 4 days!
03 Aug 2026 20:26:49
Gabi reportedly out for up to 8mths with a ruptured ACL! Big blow!
03 Aug 2026 20:42:34
He went down in a break in play, and was holding his hamstring. He walked off himself. It didn't seem like an ACL type injury.
03 Aug 2026 20:49:46
It certainly is Bright, and means we need to bring in two FB/WB now, in addition to two keepers, a striker and maybe an AM. Our FB's have to put in a shift, so we do need good back up.
Need to raise some money from sales of the likes of Joffy, Piroe, Ramz (who I'd prefer to keep) , Willie G and maybe AO.
03 Aug 2026 21:52:34
I've seen conflicting reports about the injury, Canada, but some of the recent ones on X do say it's an ACL.
03 Aug 2026 23:38:17
I think we need to sign Denis Cirkin (who remains a free agent) right now. The Gabby injury can be assessed. If it's a 3-4 week one, Cirkin can hold the fort. If not, we get Cirkin and a loanee.
04 Aug 2026 06:41:07
Would certainly consider him, Ealing. He had some injury issues at Sunderland but the recent ones concerned his hand/arm which have supposedly been sorted out by a minor op in the close season.
04 Aug 2026 07:11:23
The post you are referring to was fake - there is no ACL injury. Loads of fake posts on X recently, so be alert for them.
04 Aug 2026 08:56:41
I didn't see it on X tho, Alf, so it must be true! 😉🤣
You're right tho, never can be sure, as Vid alluded to in a thread above. The truth always comes out in the end, so we can just keep sharing the stuff we read, then wait and see. 👍🏼
04 Aug 2026 09:51:49
It's a muscle injury, hamstring.
He tweaked it at the end of last season and was sidelined as a precaution for the World Cup.
They don't know how bad it is yet but you can probably expect a couple of months that he'll be out for.
04 Aug 2026 12:24:56
3-8 weeks apparently. More scans to come.
We need a lb..
04 Aug 2026 12:50:30
In Leeds Today, GG himself says it is a muscle issue, and that it is not the same leg that made him miss the final few games of last season. Initial observation made the ACL story seem unlikely, as he walked off rubbing the back of his thigh, whereas the ACL is much lower down at the back of the knee.
