Leeds United

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Leeds boss Daniel Farke told the media that Georginio Rutter "said goodbye" to his team-mates and the coaching staff this morning.

The forward is set to leave imminently after Brighton activated a £40m release clause.

"I expect that he will leave," said Farke. "It is not in our hands anymore. The news came while we were preparing for the game yesterday afternoon.

"This morning was pretty emotional because he said goodbye. I can't confirm anything yet because he hasn't officially signed but it was emotional with all of his team-mates.

"I expect it to be confirmed in the next 24-48 hours, so I am pretty sure we will be without him for our next matchday."

Watch Farke's full response to the departure of Rutter here, external

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Leeds United's trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from a news conference dominated by the future of Georginio Rutter and the net effect of his impending £40m sale to Brighton:

• Farke said he expects Rutter to leave the club. There is nothing confirmed yet but it has been an emotional day at the training ground with the player saying his goodbyes to staff and players: "I expect he will leave. It's not in our hands anymore."

• The Leeds boss added: "The news came out in the afternoon during our prep for the game [at Middlesbrough]. Georgi was aware. I was aware. The players too. [It has been] difficult. Fair play to Georgi for not ruling himself out. He asked to sleep on it overnight and wanted to help us."

• Given Brighton have met a release clause written into Rutter's contract, Farke is not blaming the board for the sale: "We tried to convince him, but we must stick to what was signed in the past. Nothing to do with our current owners or chairman."

• However, he is unhappy about the situation Leeds find themselves in with regards to player exits and contracts, and reiterated his and the board's ambition to return to the Premier League. He stressed the chairman Paraag Marathe and recruitment staff are being as proactive and ambitious as possible.

• On whether Leeds are, as Marathe said they would be, in a position to compete with the best in the league: "It is normal for the players to wonder what is going on. Right now, we still have a really good squad, but we need to rebuild on some key positions. We know we are not there with the strength anymore as a big favourite."

• Despite that, he still agrees with his chairman: "It's true what Paraag said. I feel backed. He is responsible for bringing good commercial deals like Red Bull [and] changed our philosophy on running this club. There will not be crazy clauses like this in the future."

• Farke added: "Nobody is more sad than Paraag. He did not run the club to be there with the biggest bank account - he wants to bring this club back to where it belongs. He is ambitious but sticks to the rules."

• The Leeds boss also said Marathe has done his utmost to keep hold of key players: "He is totally respectful of contracts and the legal point of view [but] he was the first one to fight to convince Georgi. It is an open secret we have rejected offers of big money for other players. [Marathe] said, 'We don't want the money - we want the best squad' but the clause ties his hands."

• On whether Leeds remain realistic contenders for promotion: "Maybe we don't have the tag as favourites now, but I believe in hard work. I made no secret we need a few positions to strengthen [and] even more when a player like Rutter goes."

• A short line on team news: Defender Max Wober (calf) is the only injury worry for the trip to the Hawthorns.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

On the latest episode of BBC Sounds' My Mate's A Footballer, Leeds striker Patrick Bamford has been talking to comedian Joe Wilkinson about how to get in the head of football players.

From Raheem Sterling getting in Bamford's head, to playing against his best friend and to shouting 'megs' in training, you can listen to more on the dark arts in the latest episode.

He also talks about the time Leeds let Aston Villa score a goal at Elland Road after a contentious moment helped put Leeds in front.

"Marcelo [Bielsa] was like 'give them the goal.' It was strange. It did cause absolute carnage," said Bamford.

"Their player was down and the ball got played to Tyler Roberts and everyone kind of half stopped. Tyler then played it through to [Mateusz] Klich who dribbled through and scored.

"There was then a scuffle and I ended up getting suspended for being an idiot."

Find out who Bamford says is the funniest player he's played with by taking in the show.

Listen to the full episode here

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United supporters were stepping through their front doors on Wednesday night trying to erase the nightmare of the worst home performance under manager Daniel Farke, only to learn that the club's most talented remaining player could be on his way to the Premier League.

If the manner of the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Middlesbrough triggered a maelstrom of emotions as fans went apoplectic, they were sent berserk on the stroke of midnight with news of Brighton activating a £40m release clause in the contract of forward Georginio Rutter right on deadline.

In isolation, the money makes a sound business return for a player who commanded a huge price in a deal worth up to £35m when brought in to try to rescue United's Premier League status in January 2023. Within six months he looked a little bit broken at Elland Road, before finding his mercurial feet under Farke and taking the Championship by storm with his unique style and ability to create, if not finish.

But - and it is a big "but" - with Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville already sold, United supporters are asking what is the board's transfer strategy to rescue a window in which another asset could leave due to a clause in his contract. With a fortnight left in the market, and the message recently from Farke that there is no panic, the club must have contingencies in place to keep his squad immediately competitive.

The recruitment team, with Celtic's former head of football operations Nick Hammond as advisor, has had two decent windows in the past year as San Francisco 49ers Enterprises have taken full charge of the club.

Farke took full responsibility for the performance against Boro, after making eight changes to his starting line-up. It is up to others at the club now to ensure that his alternatives are better come 1 September.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United and other Championship clubs are weighing up a move for Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys before deadline day.

The Blues are believed to prefer the outright sale of the 21-year-old centre-back, who has been training with the club's loan group at Cobham before a potential move.

Chelsea could open up to a loan move at a later stage should they fail to find clubs meeting their valuation.

But, amid interest from the Bundesliga, an overseas loan is expected to be blocked, with Fifa rules now limiting clubs to six temporary moves abroad.

It is also understood that Leeds are not prioritising a centre-back signing at this stage of the transfer window, but could line up a move for Humphreys if a player in his position is sold.

Humphreys has had two productive loan spells. He was at Paderborn in Bundesliga 2, before going to Swansea City last season and playing 26 games at Championship level.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Leeds United begin their Carabao Cup campaign against last season's semi-finalists Middlesbrough at Elland Road on Wednesday (20:00 BST kick-off).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Leeds showed defensive frailties in the 3-3 draw at home to Portsmouth on Saturday, but Farke does not believe his side were too open and said there is no confidence issue in his defence. He will be making changes but the side will be a competitive one: "All players are fit and available. We're realistic and don't expect to win the cup, but we want to win the game. We'll perhaps rotate more than we normally do."

• On the return of Middlesbrough captain Luke Ayling to Elland Road: "I wish I'd had him in his prime. He is an outstanding character and player - one of the best I've ever worked with."

• On Wednesday's opponents: "We know we face one of the best sides in this league - one of the favourites to finish in the top six at least. They have a really good coach and real quality players. A good blend of experience. They will come with confidence after a first win and a proper cup run last season. They will try to repeat this again."

• On more signings before the transfer deadline later this month: "I'm totally calm - there's no panic. We have a really good group. We don't need just numbers but quality."

• Farke was adamant he would prefer permanent deals rather than Premier League loanees: "A loan from the Premier League usually only comes for game time. We have a strong squad, so sometimes a you can't guarantee minutes. The loan market is definitely one of our options, but we are still eyeing for permanent transfers."

Listen to live BBC Radio Leeds commentary of Leeds v Middlesbrough on Wednesday

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

It was an unforgettable day. The sun baked Elland Road in August 2022 as Leeds dismantled Chelsea 3-0 - a first win over their rivals in 20 years. And the rout began with Brenden Aaronson tackling Edouard Mendy, sliding the ball into an open goal and wheeling away to celebrate - tongue out, a cheeky grin.

Aaronson’s name was sung, Leeds were unbeaten and flying but the American boy living out his dreams came down to Earth with a thud. Prone to fall over easily, the singing turned to groans as United slid down the table in a disastrous campaign that ended in relegation.

A loan move to Union Berlin shortly after was seen by many at Leeds as putting self before side. Aaronson didn't excel in Germany, yet said in May of this year - “I can see myself remaining (in Berlin)”. It’s not surprising then that when brought on against Valencia in a pre-season friendly he was loudly booed and then again against Portsmouth last Saturday.

“It lasts a bit longer 'til you win everyone over and all the trust back,” said Daniel Farke regarding Aaronson in his post-Portsmouth news conference. Aaronson scored an injury time equaliser – his first goal for Leeds since that bright summer's day against Chelsea two years ago – but missed a huge chance to win the game.

Leaving on loan was a decision many players would have made for the good of their careers. But Leeds fans value loyalty above all else.

Aaronson’s redemption arc has begun. His reaction to a couple of early errors was fierce and his determination was obvious. But he was always a hard worker, seldom a hero. Farke was right: Leeds fans will need more from Aaronson to win their trust back.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

The team on Don't Go To Bed Just Yet have spotted some teething problems in Daniel Farke's side after just one game.

So what elements of Leeds' play will need time to settle?

Have a watch the clip or listen to Don't Go To Bed Just Yet in full on BBC Sounds

After a long summer break, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club is back in action this evening.

Tune in as the panel cover all the major talking points from the summer and look ahead to Premier League football returning at the weekend.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix joins Adam Pope and Jonny Buchan on the latest BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast to discuss Leeds' 3-3 draw with Portsmouth.

Speaking about the dramatic match, Adam said: "I fully expected the win - it looked great to begin with.

"It got to half time and I thought - how has this happened? Why are Leeds in a position where once again a side with minimal chances, they were gifted them and they've put them both away."

He continued: "As the penalty was awarded and the five minutes went up everybody thought 'oh no this is it' you can't leave early and I have to say massive credit to get back into the game."

Leeds' Brenden Aaronson had been criticised by fans recently, with the American jeered in the most recent pre-season friendly against Valencia, but it was the 23-year-old who equalised late on Saturday.

On the midfielder, Simon Rix said: "Every player had good moments, Aaronson up until the goal he scored, would be like a 0/10 - he didn't do anything good.

"Obviously he then scores the goal, but then misses the chance [to win it]. If he scores two goals in three minutes I do think everyone would be like 'OK no more boos.'"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Leeds will finish as champions. The good feeling around the squad has returned after the devastating play-off final loss. The players look fresh, fit and even more determined after a first full pre-season under Daniel Farke. Despite losing arguably the club's two best players, Leeds should still have enough to beat anybody on their day.

Who is the best signing, or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

Joe Rodon. On loan last season, he formed a centre-back partnership with fellow Wales international Ethan Ampadu that did not concede a goal from open play in the first three months of the year. Rodon had the opportunity to go elsewhere - including Premier League clubs - that shows his commitment to the project, as well as the quality he brings.

What do you want from your manager this season?

Leeds expects. With far fewer of the mitigating circumstances that marred last season's start, at least matching the 90-point tally should be the ambition. Farke has few faults, but if we are nitpicking he can be reactive with his substitutions at times. I would like to see him proactively change games more with the aggressive substitutions he is capable of.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Georginio Rutter. He has almost everything - work ethic, talent, vision and on form there will be nobody better in the Championship. His weaknesses are his finishing and decision-making - if he can improve in those areas, he will be the Championship player of the season.

What is your one major concern?

The full-back positions. Jayden Bogle limped off against Valencia in pre-season, Archie Gray has been sold, while Sam Byram and Junior Firpo have histories of injuries.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

Patrick Bamford has been speaking about the instructions that Leeds United players were given before their summer break.

Leeds are preparing for a second consecutive season in the Championship after losing the play-off final to Southampton in May.

Speaking on the BBC Sounds podcast My Mate's A Footballer, striker Bamford said: "We had about four and a half weeks - from the end of May until 2 July.

"He [manager Daniel Farke] said go away and forget about football, enjoy yourself, you need to go party or whatever. Then halfway through the break we're going to get sent a plan of stuff you need to do fitness-wise to make sure you're OK for when you come back."

Bamford got married during the summer break, while recovering from an injury he picked up towards the end of the season.

He added: "I went away for four days on my stag do, came back and then I had to have a little operation. They did that three days before the wedding, so at the wedding I was on painkillers."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, PA Media

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's game against newly-promoted Portsmouth at Elland Road, the club's first Championship match of the 2024-25 season.

Here are the main headlines from his news conference:

• Full-back Jayden Bogle went off against Valencia with a dead leg, but Farke said "every player is fit and available" to face Portsmouth.

• On the potential for more new signings: "We're picky. I want players who are desperate to defend this white shirt, and the yellow shirt. We want to have great characters and great identification with the club. This always a hurdle."

• Leeds have been linked with moves for Norwich's Jonathan Rowe and Wolves' Hugo Bueno. Asked how confident he is that Leeds will sign their main targets, Farke said: "I'm in a pretty good and lucky position. We have supportive and ambitious owners. We still have to pay for some sins of the past. We had great transfer sums this summer but we are only able to spend a fraction of it. You have to be a bit more patient."

• On wanting to spread goals around all areas of the team, particularly after Crysencio Summerville's departure: "The gut feeling was we shared the goals around last season. We shared the goals in the offence a lot. We're lacking a few goals from midfield and in the second half of the season from set pieces. For expected goals we were top of the league, but our conversion rate was not always top. If we convert a bit more, we'll finish in the position we want to finish."

• Could any of the promoted trio - Portsmouth, Derby or Oxford - be as strong as Ipswich last season? "It's hard to predict," said Farke. "You couldn't predict something like an Ipswich promotion, it was an exceptional thing for them. But I'm full of respect for our new opponents."

• On Saturday's opponents Portsmouth: "I'm full of respect. If you are able to win League One and be a possession side with 97 points, you have the quality to play a solid role in the Championship."

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

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The panel on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcats have been discussing the future of Wilfried Gnonto, who has been linked with a move away this summer.

Adam Pope: "It has become clear a £23m offer from Everton for Gnonto was rejected at some point this summer - the same club who was willing to offer double that last year for the same player.

"I still think if you're buying a Gnonto you're buying potential to an extent. I think it's a good price for a Premier League club - almost a 'snatch your hand off' price - but it would also be a good price for Leeds if he was to go."

Simon Rix: "I think £23m is fine, get him out of here. It would be like £90m in transfer fees from this window, which must be right up there even in old Premier League times. It's a mad amount of money. If we have £90m we can definitely buy a Championship winger.

"There's some players I really want to keep but a lot of them - I think as long as we have time to replace them, we don't leave ourselves short and we're getting great money - then I don't mind them leaving.

"Buying Gnonto for £5m and selling him for £23m, even if we were in the Premier League the people in charge of the football club would think that's great business because that's the model. We have to do some work replacing Crysencio Summerville before selling Gnonto because we had four great wingers last year and would be down to one."

Jonny Buchan: "I just think the Gnonto one is going to be interesting. If he does go he could be the one on deadline day that we've been talking about, it could all come down to that. We know there's some form there in trying to force a move so we know that is in the locker.

"If that happens and Leeds don't have the ability to replace him because it's late in the window - and Summerville is gone - does that leave them short there?"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Jonny Buchan, Simon Rix and Adam Pope discussed the departure of winger Crysencio Summerville, who has joined West Ham for £25m plus add-ons.

Buchan said: "For me, he could quite easily still become one of those players who has a year or two at West Ham, is in and out a little bit, doesn't really do it and then ends up at Atalanta or somewhere random like that. We saw enough of him [last season] to know how great he can be but also to know how much he can vanish at times. In the Premier League, he isn't going to be able to get away with that."

He added: "I hope he does really well, but I would be on the side of him possibly spending a couple of seasons there then going somewhere else on a loan or something like that. That's just a gut feeling I get."

Pope said: "There was stuff with Summerville that I witnessed with my own eyes and I'm thinking: 'You know what, that doesn't fit in with the culture of what is trying to be built here'.

"Sometimes you have to live with that, the genius and the brilliance of it all, and he's got some of that. I just felt at some of the crucial times it didn't happen.

"But, it's a lot of goals and assists to replace."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Former Premier League and Championship midfielder Jobi McAnuff spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live's 72+ podcast on Leeds and their chances of promotion in the upcoming season:

"I still fancy them [to get promoted] but there's still a bit of an asterik there for me. It will really depend on who they can keep.

"I think they've got enough quality in the squad and the manager is a big factor. You only have to look at the points they put up last year to show what a good team they are.

"They've gone out and got the likes of [Jayden] Bogle, with right-back being a bit of an issue for them last year. Joe Rothwell coming into midfield is a really shrewd signing.

"I still fancy them, the squad is still so strong and with Daniel Farke, they have to be up there as favourites."

Listen to the full episode here on BBC Sounds