Graham Smyth has reported that one Leeds United player left the club’s hierarchy disappointed last summer after suggesting as though he would remain and “fight”.
Eight players left the club last season after Leeds were relegated, taking advantage of a clause inserted in their deals by then-sporting director Victor Orta that could allow them to go without Leeds stopping it.
A clause that Angus Kinnear, Daniel Farke and Leeds fans have since condemned publicly. While it did reduce the wage bill significantly, which was the point, it meant Leeds could not sell any players.
While Leicester and Southampton raked in cash for the likes of James Maddison and James Ward-Prowse, Leeds were forced to do their incoming business without being able to rake in any cash from player sales.
Fast forward a year, and both Robin Koch and Luis Sinisterra have left permanently while Marc Roca is “close” to rejoining Betis. Diego Llorente’s agent met with Roma this week with a move edging closer.
Graham Smyth says Rasmus Kristensen disappointed Leeds
Brenden Aaronson is set to return to Leeds after choosing to fight for promotion at Elland Road. But the futures of Jack Harrison, Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen remain up in the air moving forward.
Kristensen went to Roma with Llorente but the Dane endured an indifferent campaign, left out of the Europa League squad soon after joining the club under manager Jose Mourinho who has since departed.
Smyth told the Inside Elland Road podcast that £10m addition Kristensen’s decision to leave Leeds last summer left the club’s hierarchy disappointed, with the board of the belief he would stay and fight.
“From what I’m led to believe, there were players who Leeds got a sense from or had a sense about that they would stay. They’d be willing to fight, and off he went. They thought Kristensen would stay,” he said.
“I don’t know if his fault, or a miscommunication or Leeds misinterpreting the situation. But it certainly came as a bit of a shock. It was a surprise and a disappointment to Leeds when he toddled off to Rome.”
The curious case of Kristensen; does he stay, or does he go?
The expectation is that of the remaining five players who are yet to be confirmed as coming or going, Harrison, Wober, Roca and Llorente will go. But Leeds need a right-back this summer.
Jamie Shackleton has interest and should be leaving the club for the good of his career. Sam Byram has signed a new deal but Connor Roberts has left, and Archie Gray’s future is obviously in central midfield.
It leaves Leeds light on the right of defence and while there are huge doubts over Kristensen’s ability, perhaps like Aaronson he could save Leeds some cash and return despite the ill-feeling towards him.