Leeds United remain interested in signing two of their former loanees from the 2023/24 campaign in Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts.
With Premier League interest and a £10 million price tag, Rodon is undoubtedly the most difficult deal to do at this stage, but Leeds aren’t giving up.
Leeds are also needing to be patient when it comes to signing Roberts, with Burnley still yet to appoint a new manager following Vincent Kompany’s move to Bayern Munich a month ago.
Ruud van Nistelrooy had been close to landing the job at one stage, but instead appears as though he will be joining Manchester United to form part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.
A decision on Roberts’ future may not be able to arrive until their managerial situation is clarified, though Burnley will have to sell some members of their over inflated squad this summer.
Burnley have just handed Leeds a major boost in Roberts pursuit
It would be no surprise if Burnley were keen on keeping Roberts given his track record of being a reliable performer at this level.
During the 2022/23 Championship title winning campaign, Roberts was named in the division’s TOTS after scoring four goals and providing six assists in 43 appearances.
However, he barely got a chance in the Premier League last term and did suggest upon his deadline day loan arrival in January that he would be keen on moving to Leeds permanently.
And Daniel Farke may have just received the green light he needed to make a move after Burnley confirmed the signing of PSV right-back Shurandy Sambo on Friday.
Sambo made 11 Eredivisie appearances for PSV last season and so there is no question he has come to play first team football at Turf Moor, pushing Roberts even further down the pecking order.
The 28-year-old is now effectively third choice given that Vitinho was also the preferred option ahead of the Welshman even before he moved to Leeds.
Leeds will now be hoping they may not even need to wait for Burnley to make a managerial appointment so they can get a deal done quickly, in a position they are currently very short in.
What has Roberts said about Leeds future?
As mentioned, when Roberts first arrived at Leeds on loan in January, he did drop a big hint that Elland Road is where he could see his long-term future.
However, he started just two league games in his time at Leeds and his lack of game time may have changed that stance. His message to supporters on Instagram did read like a goodbye.
In the grand scheme of things, a post on Instagram means very little, though, and if the opportunity was to arise to return, it would not be a surprise if he took it.
He wrote: “Football ey.. Obviously so disappointed not to achieve what we all wanted, but honestly what a massive privilege it was to play just a hand full of games and be involved at this incredible Football Club.
“An invaluable experience and something I’ll remember forever! Thanks for the spectacular support ladies and gents!”