NafisaLeeds United’s summer transfer window may have closed, but Daniel Farke has still found a way to strengthen his squad.
The Whites spent much of the summer reshaping their defensive options, with significant investment made across both the goalkeeping department and central defence.
James Trafford arrived from Manchester City in a £40m deal, while Michael Zetterer joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £4.3m, giving Farke two new goalkeeping options heading into the new campaign.
Those arrivals followed the departures of Karl Darlow and Lucas Perri, leaving Zetterer as the experienced deputy to Trafford.
Leeds also made major changes in front of their new goalkeeper.
Tarik Muharemovic arrived from Sassuolo in a deal worth around £34m, while Nico Elvedi brought more than 70 Switzerland caps and considerable European experience to the squad following his £8.5m move from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Harry Wilson also joined on a free transfer from Fulham, with Melvin Bard and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya arriving on loan. Bahoya’s move was completed on deadline day and includes an option to buy.
With the window now closed, however, Leeds’ senior transfer business is effectively on hold until January.
That has not stopped the club from adding another promising player to their ranks.
Leeds agree deal for 16 year-old winger
Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign highly rated youngster Silva Mexes from Manchester United, giving Farke another exciting prospect to watch develop at Thorp Arch.
The 16-year-old had attracted interest from Leeds as far back as February, but his situation at Old Trafford presented the Whites with an opportunity even after the senior transfer window had slammed shut.
Mexes had not yet signed a professional contract with Manchester United, meaning Leeds were able to secure a two-year scholarship agreement without being restricted by the normal transfer deadline.
He will initially join up with Leeds’ Under-18s as he begins the next stage of his development away from Manchester United.
For a club that has placed considerable emphasis on developing young players through its academy, the opportunity to bring in a player of Mexes’ reputation will be viewed as another potentially significant piece of business.
The youngster is also a Thailand Under-17 international, adding international experience to his background despite his young age.
Leeds will now hope their academy environment can provide the right platform for him to continue developing, with Thorp Arch having established a strong reputation for producing players capable of progressing towards first-team football.
There is another particularly interesting element to Mexes’ arrival, too.
The youngster comes from a footballing family, with his father being former Wales international Robert Earnshaw.
Earnshaw enjoyed a long professional career across England and beyond, scoring 66 goals in 166 Championship appearances and collecting 59 caps for Wales.
His career included spells with Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion, but there is an obvious Leeds connection to his story — albeit one that may raise a few eyebrows among supporters.
Earnshaw spent time with Derby County after joining the Rams for a club-record fee in 2007.
Derby are among Leeds’ traditional rivals, meaning Mexes’ family footballing history already contains an interesting connection to one of the clubs Leeds supporters have plenty of history with.
Earnshaw later moved to Nottingham Forest, another side with a long-standing rivalry with Leeds.
Now, decades after his own playing career began to take shape, Earnshaw will have the opportunity to help guide his son through the early stages of his footballing journey.
For Mexes, having someone with extensive experience of professional football in his corner could prove invaluable as he attempts to establish himself at Thorp Arch.
There is, of course, no guarantee that a highly rated academy player will go on to make the grade at senior level.
But Leeds will certainly believe they have secured an exciting prospect at a stage when his development can still be heavily influenced by the club’s academy setup.
For Farke, the arrival is not an immediate first-team solution and should not be viewed as another senior addition to his squad.
Instead, it represents a longer-term investment.
Leeds have already spent heavily on strengthening the current team, but the agreement for Mexes shows the club are continuing to look beyond the immediate campaign.
The youngster now has the chance to make his own name at Elland Road rather than simply being known as Robert Earnshaw’s son.
And if he can fulfil the potential that has attracted interest from Leeds and previously Manchester United, the Whites may eventually look back on this post-deadline addition as another smart piece of academy business.
Nafisa
