On Wednesday night, Tyler Roberts became the first player to be sold by Leeds United in what is expected to be a summer of enormous change. The forward joined Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee and he won’t be the last man out of the door at Elland Road.
Here’s a rundown of the Leeds men who have been linked with moves elsewhere over the last few weeks.
Illan Meslier
Clubs linked: Chelsea, Tottenham, Man United
Contract situation: Until 2026
Meslier didn’t exactly end the Premier League season on a high. In fact, he wasn’t even in Leeds United’s starting XI over the last four games, with Sam Allardyce making the decision to drop him for Joel Robles.
That poor form hasn’t been enough to prevent clubs from showing an interest this summer, though, with Chelsea, Spurs and Man United all supposedly keeping an eye on his situation. Meslier has been coy when asked about his situation, but he was quick to underline that whatever happens this summer, he wants to be a first-choice goalkeeper.
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Brenden Aaronson
Clubs linked: N/A
Contract situation: Until 2027
Leeds will likely want to keep hold of Aaronson this summer after what turned out to be a challenging first season in the English game. However, he was one of the first players to be linked with an exit with a loan deal being spoken about.
No specific clubs have been mentioned, but there has been talk of interest coming from the Bundesliga. Aaronson was asked about his future while on international duty, but he refused to give anything away.
Junior Firpo
Clubs linked: Real Betis
Contract situation: Until 2025
The left-back had his moments at Elland Road this season but he has largely failed to impress during his two-year spell in West Yorkshire and he is expected to leave the club. Real Betis are said to be interested in re-signing Firpo, while Fabrizio Romano has claimed he has options across Europe as he chases a fresh start.
Charlie Cresswell
Clubs linked: Rangers
Contract situation: Until 2025
According to Football League World, Rangers have seen a bid knocked back for Cresswell, following his impressive loan spell with Millwall. It promises to be a big year for the centre-back and Leeds may well be keen to keep hold of him to provide another defensive option.
Marc Roca
Clubs linked: Real Betis, Barcelona, Girona
Contract situation: Until 2026
It’s hard to see a way in which Roca stays at Leeds at present with a number of Spanish clubs seemingly lining up to take him off the Whites’ hands. Betis were thought to be frontrunners, but reported financial challenges have seen Girona linked in recent days.
Surprise links to Barcelona emerged earlier in the window, too. Roca failed to settle at Leeds after the switch from Bayern Munich last summer and it would not surprise anyone to see him move on once more this summer.
Tyler Adams
Clubs linked: Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Everton, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Brighton, Nottingham Forest
Contract situation: Until 2027
It’s starting to get to the point where it would be easier to list the Premier League clubs that haven’t been linked with Adams this summer and it’s not hard to understand why he is so sought-after. The American was one of Leeds’ best last season and while the club will be desperate to keep hold of him they will be braced for numerous approaches.
Adams hasn’t cleared up his future and it’s only natural that his head would be turned by the standard of clubs supposedly looking at him. But, if Leeds can keep hold of him, it might well be the best piece of business they do all summer.
Robin Koch
Clubs linked: Tottenham, Man United, Brentford, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen
Contract situation: Until 2024
There’s already been plenty of noises to suggest Koch will be on the move this summer and given his contract situation, it might make sense for Leeds to sell now. Reports that he would be available on a free transfer are thought to be wide of the mark and Leeds would require a fee, but that might not be enough to put off any potential suitors.
It has been claimed that Koch is keen on a move to the Bundesliga but it would take a lot for him to turn down the likes of Newcastle or Man United, should they make a valid approach for him. Recent reports in Bild suggest a loan might be his way out of Leeds this summer ahead of a free transfer next summer.
Rodrigo
Clubs linked: Real Madrid, Sevilla, Aston Villa
Contract situation: Until 2024
While Rodrigo has been away winning the Nations League with Spain, there has been plenty of speculation regarding his next step in the game. Aston Villa were rumoured to be interested briefly at the start of the summer but Real Madrid have been linked heaviest amid talk of a €3.5m release clause.
Victor Orta’s appointment at Sevilla has seen the Andalusian club come into the picture, though, and while Rodrigo’s agent has played down suggestions the deal was almost done, he does admit a move to Sevilla would be of interest. Rodrigo enjoyed his best season yet at Elland Road last season, bagging 15 goals in all competitions.
Wilfried Gnonto
Clubs linked: Everton, Manchester City, Juventus, Fiorentina, Lazio, AC Milan, Arsenal
Contract situation: Until 2027
Gnonto established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League last season and it comes as no surprise to see him linked with a host of top-end outfits. Everton, Manchester City and Arsenal have all been credited with interest over the last few weeks, with the Toffees being the latest to enter the race.
But, there’s a number of Italian teams said to be keeping tabs on his situation and they’ll be watching his performances with Italy U21s closely over the next week or so, no doubt. Zurich apparently have a large sell-on clause which might have an impact on whether Leeds opt to part with the young attacker or not.
Georginio Rutter
Clubs linked: Hoffenheim
Contract situation: Until 2028
It’s fair to say Rutter’s first few months at Elland Road did not go to plan. The Frenchman joined from Hoffenheim for a club-record fee in January and went on to make just one Premier League start.
He’s still only 21, of course, and Leeds will be keen to give him a chance to shine in the Championship next season. However, there has been talk of loan interest from his old club Hoffenheim if the Whites were to make the decision to allow Rutter to leave.
Crysencio Summerville
Clubs linked: Everton, Aston Villa, Feyenoord, Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven
Contract situation: Until 2026
Leeds would no doubt love to be able to keep hold of Summerville in the hope that his talent can help the club return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. However, it seems new clubs are being linked with the Dutchman every week with Everton being the latest credited.
Feyenoord have supposedly spoken to him, while a number of other clubs competing in Europe are rumoured to be keen. Summerville is currently away on international duty at the U21s Euros, but his future at Elland Road is very much in doubt.
Cody Drameh
Clubs linked: Burnley, Luton Town
Contract situation: Until 2024
With Drameh’s contract about to enter its final 12 months, a decision needs to be made on his future this summer. Either, he stays and is given first-team assurances by the new man in charge, or he is allowed to leave with Leeds making the most of their last real opportunity to secure a fee for him.
After his promotion-winning exploits with Luton last season, it’s not a shock to see the Hatters linked, while Burnley clearly liked what their saw from him whilst out on loan and they’ve registered an interest, too.
Diego Llorente
Clubs linked: Roma
Contract situation: Until 2026
Despite penning a new deal at Leeds late last year, Llorente is expected to leave Elland Road this summer in pursuit of pastures new. The defender spent the second half of the season on loan at Roma and a return looks to be on the cards if the two clubs can agree a fee.
Jack Harrison
Clubs linked: Newcastle, Everton, West Ham, Aston Villa
Contract situation: Until 2028
Harrison came extremely close to leaving Leeds to join Leicester City in summer before being called back to Elland Road, but it seems a departure is inevitable this time around. Rumours of a Premier League return are already rife with Newcastle, Everton, West Ham and Aston Villa all being mentioned and with such reported interest it seems increasingly unlikely that Harrison will be playing Championship football next season, despite the new deal he penned in April.
