De Ketelaere, Terrier, Kalimuendo, Harrison, Bate and…

De Ketelaere, Terrier, Kalimuendo, Harrison, Bate and Leeds United transfers state of play

Five weeks stand between Leeds United and the end of the summer transfer window. With the pre-season tour out of the way and the new season rapidly approaching, the Whites are taking their final stock checks before they get down to business.

Victor Orta has already added seven new faces to the squad, with two of those earmarked for under-21 football, but he could yet get busier in both directions before this window is over. There is little secret in the club’s desire for a striker and a left-back, but departures are also in the offing.

Charles De Ketelaere is the saga which is dragging on. Last week, Jesse Marsch admitted the chase was not over, but there was a growing expectation the Whites would have to move on to other targets.

The AC Milan news cycle continues and whatever delays there may be, Leeds have seen little in the past few days to change Marsch’s sentiments on the matter. Elland Road’s door will be open to the Club Brugge forward, but hope is fading.

French strikers Martin Terrier and Arnaud Kalimuendo remain of interest to Leeds, but moves are not advanced with either of them. Time will tell whether either proves to be the forward Orta pushes the button on, but there remains a possibility Leeds wait until after the season starts before making a call on who they want.

The Whites know they are likely to break their record transfer fee with the striker they go after. They want to ensure they take their time in identifying the correct player for their desired profile.

The left-backs on Orta’s shortlist have not bled into the public domain as yet. Leif Davis’s exit underlined the club’s desire for more experience and quality than he could currently offer in that role.

As for outgoings, Jack Harrison remains the most expensive name circulating in the media. Newcastle United did ask the question earlier in the summer, but it was understood to be a derisory offer rejected out of hand.

Leeds and the winger remain happy with one another. United do not need to sell Harrison and would only countenance it if he asked to leave and Newcastle stumped up a big enough fee for Leeds to find a replacement.

Replacing Harrison’s 25 goal involvements of the past two Premier League seasons would not come cheaply either. It would need to be a massive fee to prise him from Elland Road.

Leeds are not anticipating any big-ticket exits before the window closes, but the World Cup on the horizon may pose questions for some players. Once the season gets underway, those facing limited playing time and international aspirations could well put out feelers for opportunities further afield.

Kiko Casilla’s future should be resolved in some way before the window closes, while Helder Costa can rely on Jorge Mendes to find him another club at the drop of a hat. Ian Poveda has suitors in Segunda Division, Major League Soccer and the Championship, who could loan him with a view to a permanent deal.

Lewis Bate’s exclusion from the Australia tour underlined his place in the pecking order and a loan for the 19-year-old is possible. Leeds see a long-term future for him at Elland Road and would only consider such an exit if it was at the right club in the right league.

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