Leeds United have been linked with a number of free agents this summer but there is one they will not be signing.
The market for out of contract players at this level is arguably the strongest it has been for a number of years and Leeds certainly should be looking to make the most of it.
Leeds spent just shy of £30 million last summer but with PSR constraints always tighter in the second season after relegation, it would be a surprise to see as much splashed this time around.
As such, there are numerous bargains there to be had for Whites’ recruitment team. June 30 is the official cut-off point for player contracts and therefore movement could be just around the corner.
That date also represents the cut-off point for the financial year in football, and with Leeds owing £73 million in unpaid transfer instalments, that may be a major reason as to why they are yet to make a signing.
Transfer expert shares update on Leeds’ hopes of signing Bobby De Cordova-Reid
There have been a handful of free agents linked with Leeds so far, with Coventry City attacking midfielder Callum O’Hare the most recent of those.
Earlier on in the window, Fulham’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid was mentioned, while West Ham’s Ben Johnson is someone they have been looking at throughout 2024.
Johnson had seemed destined to be leaving the Hammers not so long ago but Leeds could well be coming up empty handed in that race, with a five-year-deal on the table in the capital.
And unfortunately, it looks like a similar outcome is on the cards when it comes to Leeds’ interest in De Cordova-Reid, with LeedsUnited.News having spoken exclusively to transfer expert Graeme Bailey on the matter.
He says despite not signing a new deal at Fulham at this stage, he will be remaining in the Premier League this summer.
He said: “Callum O’Hare is not one I’ve heard massively in the last few months so I would be surprised, to be honest. But he’s a good player on a free. Bobby Reid will be staying in the Premier League.”
Bailey shares update on another Leeds free agent target
Leeds’ interest in De Cordova-Reid was not the only free agent target covered by Bailey, but also the pursuit of Daniel Jebbison.
Jebbison is out of contract at Sheffield United this summer and Leeds are reportedly one of the sides keen to sign him this summer.
Gretar Steinsson is a big fan of the young Blades striker and Bailey has claimed that talks are ongoing with Leeds.
He said: “That one is ongoing. We know it is someone who Steinsson likes a lot so we will see where we go with that one, but Leeds are still very much in contention.”