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Deal Done”- Leeds United have finalised a transfer deal, agreeing to a £12m fee, with the player expected to arrive at Elland Road by January.
Leeds United fans are all too familiar with why this time of year is often called the ‘silly season.’ It’s a period filled with rumors, where truth often takes a backseat to sensational stories.
With the January transfer window just days away, Leeds supporters, along with fans of nearly every Championship club, are bracing for a flood of speculation packed into a few short, often uneventful weeks.
Did you spot Caoimhín Kelleher at the Beeston branch of B&Q? Or see Illan Meslier at Leeds-Bradford Airport, holding a passport in one hand and a PSG scarf in the other?
Along with PSG, Meslier is also reportedly being pursued by Manchester United and Arsenal. But is he really set to leave for Paris, while Abdokodir Khusanov heads in the opposite direction to Leeds?
Probably not. Leeds are unlikely to part ways with their number one goalkeeper during a push for promotion. Daniel Farke recently praised Meslier’s vital contribution in the win against Stoke City. Similarly, the rumors linking Khusanov with a move to Leeds in January seem far-fetched.
Leeds’ chances of signing Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens appear slim. Top Mercato reports that Leeds have submitted a bid of around £16.5 million for the defender, but there are several reasons why this transfer seems unlikely.
First, Lens is seeking closer to £25 million. Additionally, Premier League clubs like Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur have shown interest in Khusanov, according to TBR Football.
While Farke states that Leeds are in a ‘healthy’ financial position, investing nearly £20 million in a single player while still in the Championship could be risky. The coach also mentioned that Leeds cannot afford to spend lavishly.
Furthermore, while Lens is under pressure to generate funds quickly, they might not need to sell their star centre-back to do so. Reports suggest that Lens will raise around £12 million from the sale of goalkeeper Brice Samba to Ligue 1 rivals Rennes, easing some of the financial pressure.
So, with competition from Premier League clubs, a hefty price tag, and Leeds’ limited Championship budget, the likelihood of Khusanov joining Leeds this winter seems remote.
Farke addressed transfer speculation, saying, “After January 4, there will be FA Cup weekend, and then we can speak about everything else if we do something in January. Until then, we just want to focus on winning as many games as possible.”
He added, “I don’t think we need to earn any more money. We earned more money than any club in Western Europe over the summer. It’s important for us to be sustainable after some difficult years in terms of spending. We have to stick to the rules and sometimes sell players after over-spending. It was beneficial for the long-term picture. We had to rebuild, but overall, I think it was beneficial. We are a healthy club right now, so there’s no pressure to do anything. We can’t spend a fortune, but there’s no need to earn more money.”
