NafisaLeeds United boss Daniel Farke confirms THREE exits are now edging closer after Manchester United clash
Daniel Farke has provided a significant update on Leeds United’s transfer plans following Wednesday night’s meeting with Manchester United, and it appears the next few weeks at Elland Road could be just as busy on the outgoing front as they are on incomings.
The Whites produced a competitive display against their bitter rivals in Dublin, fighting back from an early Manchester United goal to secure a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Joshua Zirkzee gave United the advantage after 16 minutes, but Leeds responded before the half-hour mark when Brenden Aaronson found the equaliser.
Manchester United eventually prevailed in the exhibition penalty shootout, but the result was hardly the most important thing for Farke.
With the new Premier League season rapidly approaching, attention has increasingly turned towards the transfer market.
Leeds still have positions they want to strengthen, but there is another side to their recruitment plans which could prove just as important.
The squad needs trimming.
And Farke’s latest comments suggest several players could now be heading towards the Elland Road exit.
Daniel Farke provides clarity on Sebastiaan Bornauw’s future
One of the biggest questions concerns Sebastiaan Bornauw.
The Belgian defender started against Manchester United, but his future remains uncertain with Hamburg pushing to bring him back to Germany.
Farke’s comments after the match offered perhaps the clearest indication yet that Leeds are willing to let the defender leave if the right opportunity presents itself.
“If a player then also has his wish and wants perhaps something different and has behaved so professional like Seb has done, then we also take it into account,” Farke said.
“We are in very open, honest discussions also with him.
“But how much I rate him, how much I wanted to sign him one year ago, because we just can’t always just sign starters. We need to think about the whole group.
“Yes, if he is desperate to do something different, and you’re just out of respect to him and what he has done so far – because he’s always a top professional – we are also of course considering what he wants.”
That is a fairly revealing position from the Leeds boss.
Farke clearly still rates Bornauw and appears reluctant to lose him, particularly after the defender arrived from Wolfsburg for around £5million last summer.
However, the player’s own ambitions appear to be becoming increasingly important.
Bornauw made only 10 Premier League appearances last season and has found himself competing with other options for regular football.
If Hamburg can offer him the playing time he wants, Leeds may ultimately decide that allowing him to leave is the fairest solution.
Leeds United also have Joe Gelhardt decision to make
Bornauw is not the only player whose future is being resolved.
Joe Gelhardt has also been expected to leave Elland Road for some time, with the forward now firmly outside Farke’s plans.
The 24-year-old has attracted interest from several clubs, including Wrexham and Rangers, but Hull City appear to be the most likely destination after his impressive loan spell with the Tigers.
Gelhardt scored 15 Championship goals last season and played an important role in Hull’s promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
A permanent return therefore makes plenty of sense.
Farke was asked about the striker and suggested that a solution could soon be found.
“Let’s see what the next days will bring,” Farke said.
“But it could be that there is a solution also for him that is good for all parties. Then also fingers crossed for him for his career.”
It is difficult to interpret those comments as anything other than an indication that Gelhardt’s Leeds career is approaching its conclusion.
The forward arrived at Elland Road as a highly-rated youngster from Wigan Athletic, but despite showing flashes of quality, he never managed to establish himself as a consistent Premier League option.
After his success at Hull, however, he should have no shortage of motivation heading into the next chapter.
Lucas Perri exit also edging closer
Then there is Lucas Perri.
The Brazilian goalkeeper has been linked with Torino for much of the summer following James Trafford’s arrival as Leeds’ new club-record goalkeeper.
Trafford’s signing inevitably changed Perri’s position within the squad, and Farke confirmed that discussions remain ongoing over a potential departure.
That means Leeds could soon be preparing for a significant reshuffle.
Bornauw could leave for Hamburg.
Gelhardt appears increasingly likely to join Hull.
And Perri remains in talks over a move to Torino.
Three exits would create additional room within Farke’s squad while also potentially freeing up funds for further recruitment.
And that could be crucial.
Leeds have already made major investments this summer, including the record-breaking move for Trafford, but the club are still understood to be targeting further additions.
The difference is that the next phase of the window may involve more departures than arrivals.
Farke may have preferred to keep some of these players around, particularly Bornauw, but the German has made it clear that he also understands the importance of keeping his squad balanced.
With the deadline approaching, Leeds are therefore entering an intriguing stage of their summer.
The big-money arrivals have grabbed most of the attention.
But the next few departures could quietly be just as important to Farke’s plans for the new Premier League campaign.
Nafisa
