Here are your Leeds United transfer rumours on Friday, April 1.
Barcelona contract talks cast doubt over Raphinha interest
The transfer saga concerning Raphinha and Barcelona continues to rumble on despite the summer transfer window not opening for exactly three months. Numerous reports have suggested the Catalan giants have been in touch with the Leeds winger and his agent Deco, who used to play for Barcelona.
However, their interest in signing a new right winger might be waning as a result of a real upturn in the form of Ousmane Dembele. The Frenchman’s contract at Camp Nou expires in the summer and Xavi was initially planning for life without him after he had made it clear that he wouldn’t extend his future in Spain.
Read more: Ousmane Dembele Barcelona U-turn could hand Leeds United a Raphinha boost
But now, according to the Daily Mail, the two parties have re-entered talks regarding a new contract for Dembele which throws their Raphinha pursuit into real doubt.
Another suitor emerges in battle for Championship ace
A number of players in the Championship have attracted plenty of interest from Premier League sides this season, none more so than Brennan Johnson. The Nottingham Forest winger has been brilliant for Steve Cooper’s side and he could well be playing top-flight football next term even if he and his teammates fail in their promotion quest.
Leeds have long been one of the sides credited with interest in the 20-year-old but they certainly won’t be the only side eyeing up a move. The Daily Mail have claimed that Newcastle are now in the race for his signature as their wait goes on to appoint a sporting director.
Brentford failed in their attempt to bring Johnson to the Premier League in January whilst Leicester have also sent scouts to watch him in action for both Forest and Wales in recent weeks.
Second American international on Marsch’s radar
After choosing not to strengthen the first-team squad in the middle of the season, it will be interesting to see the recruitment strategy at Elland in the summer. The widely reported interest in Brenden Aaronson has not dissipated and Leeds are likely to revisit their previously failed pursuit.
According to TEAMtalk, he is joined on the club’s wish list by his USMNT teammate Sergino Dest who has fallen down the pecking order at Barcelona. The 21-year-old right-back has found himself playing back up to Dani Alves and may look for a move with the guarantee of more first-team action.
The Whites are said to be weighing up a move for him to provide competition for, and eventually replace, Luke Ayling who is moving into the back end of his career.
