A round-up of your Leeds United transfer rumours on Wednesday, February 23.
Chelsea 'top of pile in Raphinha hunt'
The big worry for Leeds supporters when the summer transfer window opens will be whether Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha will stay at the club.
If the Whites fail in their battle to stay in the Premier League, both will undoubtedly be tempted into moves away from Elland Road.
According to Footballtransfers.com, Raphinha could leave for as little as €25m if Leeds drop into the Championship at the end of the season.
In the likely event that they do remain in the top flight, clubs will have to meet the significantly higher €75m release clause to acquire the Brazilian’s services.
Before that becomes a worry, Leeds remain desperate to tie the wideman down to a long-term contract.
Gelhardt tipped to leave in event of relegation
Talk of a potential relegation has ramped up in recent weeks with Leeds’ last victory coming more than a month ago.
The gap between the Whites and the bottom three is still five points and there are plenty of points still on offer over the next few months but there is still some cause for concern in West Yorkshire.
Several players might be on the lookout for transfer moves if Leeds are unable to beat the drop and David James believes Joe Gelhardt could be one of them.
The young forward has emerged as one of the best talents in the Premier League this season but has struggled for game time even in the absence of Patrick Bamford.
“Oh man, there’s something about him from the first time he came on this season and just completely changed the game,” said James on Sky Sports’ Football Show.
“I think he’s a game-changer. Unfortunately for Leeds against United, it changed one way then it kind of flipped the other.
“But this guy, if Leeds – and it is an if, and I think there is a reality to there being an if still – if Leeds weren’t to stay up this season, then he’ll be one player who will still be playing Premier League football irrespective of Leeds’ position next season. He is a young talent.”
Poveda to return to Blackburn loan
Ian Poveda had just started to find his rhythm on loan at Blackburn before a horrific injury, which required ankle surgery, threatened to end his season prematurely back in November.
He was initially recalled by Leeds to start his recovery and, after making good progress with the medical staff at Thorp Arch, he could be set for a return to action before the end of the campaign.
Rovers manager Tony Mowbray confirmed that the 22-year-old would re-join his loan club and he added that Poveda is only a couple of weeks away from returning to Ewood Park.
“Ian’s not too far away from re-joining us in a couple of weeks, we’ll wait and see whether he can get himself fit enough to play for us,” he told Blackburn’s official website.
“He’s recovering well at Leeds, where he’s doing his rehabilitation and he’s a real talent.
“Ian could return for the last few games, but he’s recovering from a broken ankle and it’s been a long-term injury for him.”
