Leeds United

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

At least Joe Rodon came back. At least Georginio Rutter remains. At least Leeds United are not worried about breaching profit and sustainability rules. At least Archie Gray was sold for lots of money.

But Gray has gone and the sadness at another shiny academy talent fulfilling his potential elsewhere has not.

Aaron Lennon, Jonathan Woodgate, Alan Smith, Jonny Howson, Fabian Delph, Lewis Cook, Kalvin Phillips - the list goes on.

Kids in Leeds want to be these players in Leeds shirts playing for Leeds forever, like Paul Madeley did.

At least he did. At least Eddie Gray did. It is different now but it still hurts.

Maybe Tottenham pulling the trigger on Gray's release clause meant United could keep their powder dry and not succumb to a further £30m in the coffers from Brighton for Rutter.

The languid trickery of the smiling Frenchman has made him a fans' favourite - not in an 'Archie, he's one of our own' vein, but in the captivating wizardry and charismatic style of play which make him something unique in the Championship.

Eight goals in 64 appearances tells you his shooting is wayward, but at least he loves horses.

Georgi was key to the almost-made-it-over-the-line effort of last season, having turned around a rough start at Elland Road.

Leeds could end up shelling out £35m on the 22-year-old after his mega move from Hoffenheim 18 months ago. There are those who would snap Brighton's hand off to recoup nearly all of it it in one fell Seagulls swoop, but many with Rutter on their replica shirts would not want to hear his infectious giggle on another club's latest new signing video.

United either dared not or did not want to... at least they did not have to.

Kit leaks with red bulls on, Gray to the big smoke and a block on supporters watching friendly matches in Germany made it a shocking weekend for Leeds fans.

Rodon back at the crease and Rutter not out has steadied the pre-season innings.

At least it is only six weeks until it all starts again.

Image source, Leeds United

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United have rejected a bid from Real Betis for defender Diego Llorente.

The Spain international, 30, has spent the past season and a half on loan at Italian top-flight club Roma. His contract at Elland Road runs until 2026.

Meanwhile, there has also been initial interest from French side Stade Rennais for Glen Kamara, but Leeds are not looking to sell the midfielder.

Paris St-Germain have enquired about Leeds United's 22-year-old Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville. (De Telegraaf - in Dutch, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United have rejected a £30m offer from Brighton for striker Georginio Rutter.

It is understood Albion made the bid for the 22-year-old Frenchman after signing winger Yankuba Minteh from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United for £30m on Monday.

They have also previously shown interest in Elland Road forward Crysencio Summerville.

Rutter has four years left on his contract with the Championship side after being signed from Hoffenheim in January 2023 in a club record deal which could rise to £35m.

He has scored eight goals in 64 appearances for Leeds.

Following the sale of Archie Gray to Tottenham and the signing of Joe Rodon, we asked you to have your say on the news.

Here are a selection of your comments:

Tom: This is a huge call from the board. Leeds could have offloaded Summerville and Gnonto for similar/more money and neither of them come close to the heartstrings of Leeds fans like Archie Gray does. If they don't romp home with automatic promotion immediately, they will need to prepare for a fans' revolt against the ownership.

Graham: The transfer of Gray is good business. Standing in the way of ambition creates resentment. For an unproven player, £30m-£40m is crazy money, and you have to take it. Even Manchester City did the same with Cole Palmer.

Dan: Not hard to feel gutted but once a release clause is in a contract it says so much about the ambition of the player and the club who knows he will attract attention. The deal isn't bad money and getting Rodon is positive for sure, we move on and ultimately need to support the team.

Richard: Gutted to lose one of our own but I wish the lad well. I hope Spurs nurture his talent and don't let it go to waste on the bench like they did with Jack Clarke a few years ago. Rodon coming in is a pragmatic move and should go some way towards offsetting supporters' disquiet at the move. Encouraging that Rodon is happy to return.

Malcolm: It's a total disgrace. Shame on Leeds United. Should have built the team around him.

Andy: It stinks when you have to sell your homegrown players just to meet some financial rules. Absolutely gutted. Glad Rodon signed but does not make Archie's departure feel any better.

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United believe the sale of Archie Gray to Tottenham "improves" the club's chances of winning promotion this season.

Gray joined in a deal worth between £30m and £40m - with defender Joe Rodon moving the other way - after the north London side triggered a release clause in his contract following the club's failure to get promoted at the first attempt.

The Whites have signed Rodon from Spurs in a separate deal believed to be worth about £10m.

In a statement, Leeds said: "Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board's resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars.

"While we understand supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a homegrown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club's chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league's financial control regulations."

Gray, 18, came through the academy ranks before being involved with the first team at the age of 15.

He went on to make his senior debut in last season's Championship opener against Cardiff City at Elland Road, aged 17, and leaves having made 52 appearances.

"Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism," the club added.

"He leaves with the very best wishes for his future career and in the knowledge that Leeds will always be his home."

How do you feel about the sale of Gray and the signing of Rodon, Leeds fans?

Have your say here, external

With Leeds United academy graduate Archie Gray set to be sold to a Premier League side, Don't Go To Bed Just Yet's Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix have been discussing the 18-year-old's imminent Elland Road exit.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell's proposed transfer to Toulouse is off.

The 21-year-old travelled to France for a medical on Sunday and was set to join the Ligue 1 side for £3.8m.

But the player was unable to agree personal terms.

Meanwhile, Leeds midfielder Darko Gyabi is set to join fellow Championship side Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan deal.

Leeds United are selling Archie Gray to Tottenham.

Is it another young talent leaving Elland Road too prematurely?

In the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix give their assessment of the 18-year-old's imminent departure.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham were waiting in the wings to move for Archie Gray after it emerged Brentford could not meet the structure of a deal Leeds United desired.

Joe Rodon, in a separate transaction, will sign for Leeds for an undisclosed fee - but I understand it is about £10m.

Defender Charlie Cresswell is set for a move to Toulouse for £3.8m. He is another academy product so that will all be profit on the books.

Cresswell is due to have a medical in France and flew out on Sunday.

I understand there has been no further interest of note in forward Crysencio Summerville since Brighton showed some a couple of weeks ago.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham remain in talks with Leeds United about signing 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray.

Leeds were looking to close the move before the English Football League's Financial Fair Play (FFP) deadline on 30 June but they failed to agree a fee in time.

They can apply for mitigation or a "near miss" if they sell Gray in the coming days.

Both parties remain confident of reaching a positive conclusion after Leeds rejected Brentford’s £40m offer on Sunday morning because of payment terms.

The prospect of defender Joe Rodon moving from Tottenham to Leeds as part of the deal is also being discussed.

Chelsea have joined Tottenham in the race to sign midfielder Archie Gray from Leeds United. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, PA Media

On this week's episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, the panel responded to a listener's question, asking if left-back Junior Firpo could move forward to be a more attacking option for manager Daniel Farke, if winger Crysencio Summerville leaves Elland Road this summer.

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix said: "I think he could do that job, whether or not that's the answer...

"I think if we got to the end of the transfer window and we hadn't recruited quite correctly and we had to adjust it round, I think we've seen from Junior that he could be a decent left-winger.

"If he was actually the left-winger, would he be able to beat the man enough times? Would he have the full skillset for that? I think he could do it for part of a season.

"It also depends on who's behind him. [It might work] if we had a really good, left-footed left-back, I don't think Sam Byram [who the listener suggested to play at left-back instead] would be the answer behind Firpo, I don't think it would be as strong as last season."

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope added: "It seems like such a culture shock to go from Summerville to Firpo. He's got it in his locker, but I don't see a change from [Daniel] Farke to accommodate that."

We asked for your views on Leeds United's first 10 games of the 2024-25 Championship season and whether Daniel Farke's side will start the campaign strongly.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Kevin: We are Leeds. It could be a great start and we could be top two after 10 games, or it could go badly and the fans could start calling for Daniel Farke to be sacked.

John: There is no way of knowing how the season will start. Newly-promoted Portsmouth could do an Ipswich or struggle to cope at the new level. We have a few decent games but a lot will depend on whether we lose, retain or recruit players. I'm hopeful that, with the bulk of the same squad, we would be in the top five or six after 10 games - but hopefully in the top two!

Oscar: Leeds are going to win the Championship and go on an unbeaten run for 15 games.

Shaun: The fixture list is neither here nor there until we know who we have playing for us next season. That being said, we should be off to a flier looking at the early fixtures.

Pete: I don't want to be too negative but we really need to make a good start to the season. We must go up in the top two, but it's easier said than done. Everyone wants to beat Leeds.

Danny: I think we need to start strongly this season and maintain it all the way. After 10 games, I expect us to be at the top of the table and not looking back for the rest of the season.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

So, there we have it. A pre-season of a behind-closed-doors trip to Germany bookended by a visit to Harrogate Town (and Bettys - founded in 1919, the same year as Leeds United) and a visit from last season's ninth-placed La Liga side, Valencia.

The latter provides a chance for revenge against coach Ruben Baraja, who was part of the Los Ches squad to feature in the first leg of United's Champions League semi-final defeat in 2001, and for Elland Road to remind Sergio Canos they have not forgotten his alleged headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski in 2018, for which the winger was cleared of wrongdoing.

But then the real business of the Championship starts at 12:30 BST on 10 August, with League One champions Portsmouth at Elland Road, probably still smarting from Danny Pugh's winner after 14 minutes of his second debut the last time they came in 2011. Heady days. Have some more of that, Steve Cotterill, Nwankwo Kanu and co, I hear you say.

Scanning the 10 months of the slogathon, with Sky Sports picks, Carabao Cup and FA Cup ties waiting in the wings, my attention is always drawn to key moments and anomalies.

Watford, Millwall and Norwich City are the long midweek away days which will have supporters negotiating shift patterns with benign bosses. Not that anyone can safely book much just yet, knowing the TV schedule to be announced next month could scupper efforts for discounted train tickets, flights and hotels.

Two games away from home in the Christmas week seems as harsh as the weather will be at Stoke City, and for the inevitable frosty binoculars at Derby County.

But the run-in includes a first league visit to Oxford United since Howard Wilkinson led United to promotion to the top flight in 1990.

One generation will recall Wilko berating his captain Gordon Strachan for giving up penalty-taking duties only for Lee Chapman to miss a chance of a hat-trick from 12 yards in a 4-2 win at the Manor Ground.

Another will remember the 4-3 pre-season defeat at the Kassam Stadium after which new head coach Marcelo Bielsa, director of football Victor Orta and owner Andrea Radrizzani were in heated discussion as the 2018-19 season beckoned.

A DVD of Ken Loach's play Kes was seen in Bielsa's dugout that day. You could imagine him going full Brian Glover shouting at his employers: "I've never seen such slack work in my life!"

There will be no Billy Caspers being accused of "slack work, lad" at BBC Radio Leeds and on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, you can be assured.

In less than seven weeks' time against Pompey, we will be there covering every shot, tackle and save until Plymouth away 10 months later.

Oh, and any play-off fixtures that may follow...