Leeds United are still at the stage of the summer where they are waiting on clubs to make decisions on potential targets.
The window has now been open for almost a full week and it would seem Leeds aren’t any closer to making their first signing at this stage.
Instead, much of the focus behind-the-scenes at Elland Road has been on moving players out, with Wednesday having represented a very successful day on that front.
Not only did Leeds progress in talks to sell Marc Roca to Real Betis permanently, but they also moved closer to finalising an agreement with Everton for Jack Harrison to go on loan again.
Clearly player exits are something which Leeds are prioritising at this stage, as the all important date of June 30 moves closer, which is the end of the financial year.
Transfer insider delivers mixed update on Leeds’ interest in Oliver Skipp
Roca and Harrison certainly will not mark the end of player exits at Leeds this summer and there will have to be players from last season’s first team squad who go.
So far, Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Ilia Gruev have been the most heavily linked with moves elsewhere, and replacements would need bringing in if they were to go.
LeedsUnited.News have spoken exclusively to transfer expert Graeme Bailey this week and one of the topics which was covered was Leeds’ interest in Tottenham’s Oliver Skipp.
Skipp has reportedly been identified as someone Leeds could target if they are forced to enter the for a new midfielder, amid Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Gruev.
Bailey is doubtful at this stage that Skipp is someone Spurs would be willing to let go this summer due to being homegrown, but if that was to change, he believes Leeds would be ‘at the table’.
He said: “I don’t see it, mainly because Skipp is a homegrown player at Spurs and had chances there. He would be a very expensive signing. If it was a loan with an option, possibly. But in terms of a permanent deal, no.
“I think it will depend on the player but with Hojbjerg leaving I don’t see Skipp leaving this summer personally. Could be proven wrong and if he does go, I think Leeds would be at the table for him. It wouldn’t be a cheap deal, though.”
Daniel Farke is a big fan of Leeds target Skipp
Leeds manager Daniel Farke worked with Skipp previously during his loan spell at Norwich City, and so it is clear to see why he would be a target.
Skipp started 44 of Norwich’s 46 league games as they romped to the Championship title, which would suggest just how much he is rated by Farke.
Farke also spoke very highly of Skipp publicly as he hailed him as both a ‘top player’ and a ‘top character’.
He said: “It’s difficult also for young players to handle that praise so I am quite careful in praising them too much but actions are more important than any words.
“When you look at Oliver’s season you can realise that he has played more or less every second in the league for us, for a side that has lots of competition in the squad.
“This says a lot about how much I rate him and how much I value him, I don’t want to praise him too much in public, it’s more like each and every day I keep on criticising him. I ask for more goals, for more assists, better passing choices, for many topics to improve.
“But my actions speak louder than my words. He plays each and every second for more or less each and every game for such a good side. He’s a top player and also a top character.”