Leeds expected to sign Gudmundsson - but who is he?
- Published
With Max Wober out the door on loan to Werder Bremen, a new left-back is expected to join Leeds this summer - and all of the links are pointing to Lille's Gabriel Gudmundsson.
His likely arrival for an expected fee of £10m was discussed on the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast and BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope has detailed the kind of player United fans are waiting for.
"It's hard to describe him as a pure left-back," said Pope. "The more you look into it, he's more of a Firpo-ish [player] - gets down that left side and plays left-back as well, but can play in midfield and can play right-sided centre-back for Sweden.
"His dad [Niklas] played a bit for Blackburn and Ipswich, so he's got footballing pedigree. This is a guy who looks quite aggressive and a good ball-carrier who takes a few risks, and is quick and athletic.
"He's not a pure defensive left-back, although he might have to play that position. That shows versatility."
The 25-year-old finished fifth with Lille in Ligue 1 last season, just missing out on the chance for Champions League football to Nice, who had a superior goal difference. They had the second best defensive record with 36 conceded, bettered by only champions Paris St-Germain's 35.
Gudmundsson netted two league goals in 2024-25. He had an 82.1% pass-completion rate and won the third-most tackles for Lille at a 69% success rate.
The Sweden international lost eight of his 20 contested aerial duels and made three errors leading to shots across his 30 appearances.
However, during his previous spell at Groningen, he made the top 10 charts across the Eredivisie in 2020-21 in aerial duels won, progressive carries, crosses into the penalty area and successful take-ons.
