Liverpool owners FSG prevented the Reds from signing an "incredible" player in the summer transfer window, according to an update from reliable journalist James Pearce.

Liverpool transfer updates: Caicedo and Lavia

The Reds started last season as one of the leading Premier League title challengers, but instead, a really poor campaign materialised, seeing them finish fifth in the table in the end. It was clear that numerous new signings were required during the summer, in order to rebuild an ageing squad, and huge surgery was done to the midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all coming in.

Liverpool were also pushing hard to sign both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia from Brighton and Southampton respectively, but in the end it was Chelsea who snapped up the pair, outbidding the Reds and seemingly coming across as a better proposition for both players.

The duo have made a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge, however, with the latter not yet playing a single minute of action for his new club due to injury, and it remains to be seen if they made the right decision in not joining the Reds.

FSG prevented Liverpool from signing Lavia

According to The Athletic's Pearce, FSG stopped Lavia to Liverpool happening in the summer, not allowing them to bid more than the Reds' valuation of him:

"It was a challenging summer, with the midfield rebuild proving to be bigger than anyone had anticipated after Jordan Henderson and Fabinho sought lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia.Schmadtke came in for criticism externally in August when Liverpool missed out on the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who both joined Chelsea instead.

"That was not the case internally given that Liverpool were late entrants into the race for Caicedo and the fee was agreed with Brighton before the player turned them down. As for the failed Lavia bids, Schmadtke was restricted by the owners’ reluctance to go beyond their valuation of the young Belgium midfielder."

This is an update that could easily cause frustration among Liverpool fans, especially those who accuse FSG of being too frugal, not to mention the fact that Jurgen Klopp is currently lacking an out-and-out defensive midfielder.

Granted, Lavia is still very much a work in progress, considering he is still only 19 years of age, but Pep Guardiola has described the former Liverpool transfer target as "incredible" – the Belgian was at Manchester City before his move to St Mary's Stadium – so it could have been fantastic business in the middle of the park.

In fairness, FSG did still provide Klopp with plenty of funds to build a new midfield, with the new signings look like strong additions, especially Szoboszlai, but that lack of a natural No.6 is still something that looks as though it could hold the Reds back this season.

Endo hasn't yet fully impressed and looks like nothing more than a squad player, while Mac Allister is more at home as a No.8, with a lack of pace and dynamism exposed too often in a deeper position.

Spinner Kirstie Gordon impressed by dismissing all three of Storm’s most potent batsmen, including the top scorer in the competition, Smriti Mandhana

ECB Reporters Network15-Aug-2018

ScorecardLoughborough Lightning established themselves as firm favourites for the 2018 Women’s Kia Super League with a crushing victory over defending champions Western Storm at Edgbaston.Chasing 125 to win, Lightning eased home with seven and a half overs to spare, a humbling margin for Storm, who had beaten Lightning at Taunton in a rain-reduced five-over thrash earlier in the campaign but this time were no match for their impressive opponents.Australian opener Rachael Haynes led the way with her third half-century of the tournament, finishing on 66 not out from 40 deliveries including 10 fours and a six.New Zealand allrounder Sophie Devine weighed in with 38 off 30 balls and picked up two wickets as Lightning displaced Storm at the top of the KSL table with one match remaining, the bonus point giving them a three-point lead into their final fixture, away to Yorkshire Diamonds on Saturday evening.Storm take on Surrey Stars at The Oval. The team that finishes top of the table goes straight into the KSL Final at Hove on Monday week, which is preceded by a semi-final between second and third in the chart.Lightning’s tightly disciplined bowling attack had vindicated skipper Georgia Elwiss’s decision to bowl first by restricting Storm to 124 for 6 in their 20 overs, the defending champions’ lowest score in the tournament.Spinner Kirstie Gordon had been the star of the show, dismissing all three of Storm’s most potent batters, including the top scorer in the competition, Smriti Mandhana, who came into this match with an average of 77.40 and a strike rate but this time fell for 29.An eventful Powerplay saw Mandhana riding her luck from the start on a day when she could never quite muster the destructive powers that had brought her the tournament’s only hundred so far.Unable to play with her usual freedom, the KSL’s most prolific scorer escaped a stumping chance before she had got off the mark in Jenny Gunn’s opening over, although the replay showed Lightning’s appeal to be a little optimistic. That was followed by a genuine let-off in the sixth over when, on 17 and beginning to find her timing, she was put down at extra cover, where a stretching Elwiss had a good hand on the ball but could not hold on.It looked like it might be a costly miss when Mandhana repeated the shot a couple of balls later, hitting seamer Devine over the head of the Lightning captain for her third boundary as Storm reached the end of the Powerplay at 43 for 1. They had lost opener Rachel Priest when the New Zealand batter sliced Devine to short third man, but there was plenty of batting to come.England and Storm captain Heather Knight punished Sarah Glenn’s legspin with a couple of boundaries but then a brilliant over from the left-arm spinner Gordon, one of the break-out players of the tournament, changed the complexion of the innings.Called into the attack in the ninth over with Storm 60 for 1, Gordon claimed the major scalps of Mandhana and Knight with consecutive balls, the former failing as she tried to clear Elyse Villani on the long-off boundary. Gordon then came up with a beauty that turned past the outside edge to clip Knight’s off stump.Thereafter, Storm were never able to regain any consistent momentum as Gordon and fellow left-armer Linsey Smith combined with Elwiss’s medium pace to produce a near-perfect bowling performance on a slow surface, seldom giving away any easy runs.Gordon picked up a third success – her 14th of the tournament – and a third of Storm’s batting trump cards when Stefanie Taylor hit her into the safe hands of Georgia Adams on the long-off boundary, giving her figures of 3 for 19 as the leading spin bowler in the competition.Elwiss got in on the act with a deserved wicket when Villani grabbed a second catch in the deep, before doing well to hold on to a low chance at wide extra cover as Naomi Dattani became Devine’s second victim in the final over of the innings.

Celtic are braced to receive an approach for one of their key players in January, with a fresh report revealing that he has a long-term admirer in the Premier League.

Celtic's summer departures

The Scottish Premiership side sanctioned the exits of ten players over the summer, Jota, Carl Starfelt, Albian Ajeti, Conor Hazard, Vasilis Barkas, Ismaila Soro and Osaze Urhoghide being the ones to leave on a permanent basis, whilst the remaining three were sent out on loan until the end of the current campaign.

Despite the previous window being closed, Brendan Rodgers will know that he’ll have to create further space in the squad to facilitate new signings at the start of next year, and whilst he won’t want to lose his most prized assets, there’s a chance that one of them could be heading for the exit door should a respectable offer be tabled.

Hoops central midfielder Matt O’Riley only recently signed a new long-term deal which keeps him at the club until at least 2027 (Celtic contracts), with Fabrizio Romano confirming that as a result of his situation, interested parties would have to pay a Scottish record transfer fee in order to prise him away from Parkhead.

The Denmark international, however, has emerged as his side’s overall best-performing player so far this season with a match rating of 7.99 (WhoScored – Celtic statistics), and the 22-year-old’s form has caught the eye of a club in England, who are weighing up an approach despite him committing his long-term future to the club.

Brentford targeting move for Matt O'Riley

According to TEAMtalk, Brentford are interested in a deal for Matt O'Riley in January.

“Brentford are considering testing Celtic’s resolve over midfield star Matt O’Riley in January, TEAMtalk has been informed. The Bees have been keeping close tabs on the former MK Dons man – who has been brilliant in Scotland since arriving in 2022 for just £1.5million.

"The 22-year-old only signed a new long-term deal in September, which has tied him down until 2027, but Celtic are aware that there is genuine interest from England and they are not in a position to turn down a big bid.”

O’Riley has made a fantastic start to the new season having posted eight contributions, six goals and two assists, in ten appearances in the Scottish Premiership (Transfermarkt – O’Riley statistics), with his high standard of displays having previously seen him hailed Celtic’s “silent hero” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The Hounslow-born talent, who pockets £14k-per-week (Celtic salaries), has also recorded a total of 26 shots so far this term which is more than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Celtic statistics), showing what a standout star he is in Glasgow.

Furthermore, O’Riley is a versatile operator having been deployed in six different positions over the pitch since the start of his career, including everywhere across the midfield and even as a second striker, so Hoops chiefs need to do everything they can to fend off interest and retain his services beyond January.

John Bell, who is working to raise awareness of suicide prevention, has been welcomed by Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

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Bell has been walking with a bathtub from Mansfield to WrexhamWants to raise awareness against suicideWrexham owners moved by Bell's effortsWHAT HAPPENED?

Bell's mission involves walking 140 miles from Mansfield Town to Wales, in time for Mansfield's away game against Wrexham. His initiative aims to shed light on mental health issues and raise funds for suicide prevention efforts.

Tragically, Bell's motivation stems from personal loss – his son, Jake, passed away in 2020 at the age of 15. Since then, Bell has been actively involved in advocating for mental health awareness. He co-founded the charity Walking 4 Hope, dedicating his efforts to supporting individuals and families affected by mental health struggles.

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In a symbolic gesture, Bell has chosen to undertake his journey dressed as Deadpool, Jake's favourite superhero. The choice holds profound significance, as it not only honours Jake's memory but also aligns with the support received from Ryan Reynolds, who portrays Deadpool on screen.

Accompanying Bell on his expedition is a bathtub, serving as a poignant symbol of the emotional burdens carried by individuals facing mental health challenges. Adorned with rubber ducks, each representing a lost loved one, the bathtub serves as a visual reminder of the impact of mental health struggles on families.

WHAT BELL & REYNOLDS SAID

In an interview with Bell said: "I got back from the challenge the other night and I had got a message from Ryan Reynolds himself. Between Ryan and [Wrexham co-owner] Rob McElhenney, they've made a sizeable donation. I was shaking messaging back. I thanked them for their kind words, it was absolutely beautiful what Ryan wrote, it means absolutely everything."

Whereas, Reynolds wrote on Rob and I are excited to have John Bell in Wrexham this Friday. Let’s give him a warm welcome. John’s story is an incredible testament to his strength and capacity to turn pain into action."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Bell's journey commenced in Mansfield, with planned stops in towns and cities along the route, including Ripley, Derby, Burton-upon-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, and Chester. Despite the physical and emotional demands of the endeavour, Bell remains resolute in his mission, buoyed by the outpouring of support and encouragement from Reynolds, McElhenney, and the wider community.

Andy Vessey, the coordinator of the walk, expressed optimism about the journey's progress, noting the positive impact of Reynolds' endorsement on Bell's morale.

He said: "Deadpool was Jake's favourite Marvel character so to get a message from Ryan Reynolds was quite a thing for John.

"We started out at Burton Albion this morning and walked through to St George's Park, and have left for Uttoxeter. Everything is going very, very well so far."

ScorecardAn inspired spell of seam bowling from Tony Palladino put Derbyshire in a commanding position and left Glamorgan facing the prospect of another defeat after 21 wickets fell on the second day of the Division Two match at Derby.The 35-year-old ripped through Glamorgan’s fragile batting to take 6 for 29 in 13 overs, including his 300th first-class wicket for Derbyshire, as the visitors were shot out for 121. They lost their last eight wickets for 38 to trail by 130 on first innings but Derbyshire were then bowled out for 171 with Alex Hughes top-scoring with 57 and Glamorgan closed 16 for 1 chasing 302 for victory.There had been no sign of the mayhem to come when Kiran Carlson and Tom Cullen rebuilt the innings in bright sunshine after Connor Brown had been yorked by Lockie Ferguson and Stephen Cook edged Ravi Rampaul to second slip.Glamorgan were well placed at 83 for 2 but the wheels came flying off when Carlson tried to pull a ball from Palladino that was not quite short enough and was caught at fine leg. By lunch, the innings was in tatters at 94 for 7 with Palladino bowling former Derbyshire seamer Graham Wagg with one that kept low and spreading Ruaidhri Smith’s stumps with the final ball of the morning.Timm van der Gugten at least spared Glamorgan from being asked to follow-on by driving Palladino down the ground but was cleaned up by the next ball and David Lloyd got a brute that leapt to take the shoulder of the bat. Kieran Bull was struck on the helmet before Ferguson bowled him leaving Glamorgan needing an inspired performance in the field to stay in the game.The demands placed on the batsmen by a lively pitch were highlighted when Billy Godleman was defeated by lift and movement from van der Gugten and when Wayne Madsen bottom-edged a pull into his stumps, Glamorgan sensed an opening.Lloyd had Tom Lace lbw in the last over before tea but by then, the lead was nudging 200 and Hughes fought his way to a 79 ball 50 to keep the momentum with Derbyshire despite both Gary Wilson and Matt Critchley falling in successive overs from Bull.Hughes cut Smith to point as three wickets fell for five runs but Harvey Hosein took Derbyshire’s lead past 300 to leave Glamorgan with an improbable target considering they had not passed 265 in their previous three Championship matches.It looked even more unlikely when Palladino struck again when he bowled Cook in the final over to leave Glamorgan contemplating a seventh consecutive defeat.

MatériaMais Notícias

Um dos principais nomes do Fortaleza, o atacante Ederson espera um grande jogo da equipe diante do Corinthians, em casa, nesta quarta-feira, às 21h30, em partida válida pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão. Segundo o jogador, a meta de todos é fazer uma apresentação perfeita para buscar a vitória no Castelão.

TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão clicando aqui

– Vamos enfrentar uma equipe forte e temos que ter o máximo de atenção para vencermos. Um triunfo sobre o Corinthians vai nos dar muita confiança para a sequência da temporada. Sabemos da responsabilidade que teremos.

Éderson ainda destacou o desejo de ver o Tricolor crescendo de produção na competição. Duelo com o Timão é um confronto direto na tabela.

– Vamos continuar nos empenhando ao máximo para crescermos de produção e para terminarmos bem a temporada neste ano.

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Chelsea's prolific academy continues to churn out talent at an unbelievably fast rate with several stars beginning their careers in east London.

Of course, when freakish talents are prevalent in an individual at a young age, clubs will naturally show their interest, as seen when Bayern Munich snapped up Jamal Musiala from the Blues as a 16-year-old.

Now 20-years-old, the Germany international is one of the hottest prospects on the planet and after finishing second behind Jude Bellingham in the Golden Boy award, has an apparent value of £129m (€150m), according to Football Observatory.

Declan Rice is another talent whose value has exceeded £100m since departing Chelsea for West Ham as a 14-year-old and has gone on to become one of the best midfielders on the planet with Arsenal shelling out £105m for him this summer.

While it is a gut-wrenching feeling knowing that Musiala and Rice could have been plying their trade in the Blues midfield for the next decade, the blow of seeing them thrive elsewhere is cushioned by the current crop of academy stars thriving in the first-team, as Levi Colwill, Reece James and Conor Gallagher have all endeared themselves to the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Gallagher, in particular, has seen his value skyrocket as a result of his performances.

How much was Conor Gallagher worth at the start of his career?

In the early stages of his Chelsea career, Gallagher must have thought he was going to fall victim to the Blues' ruthless policy of loaning out precocious talents without giving them a single chance to shine in the first team.

Joining the club at the age of eight, the youngster's first taste of men's football came in a loan spell at Charlton Athletic in the Championship as one of the 41 players to be loaned out in the summer of 2019.

At this point, the Englishman had an expected transfer value (xTV) of £3.8m (€4.5m), as per Football Transfers, but after notching up 17 direct goal contributions in 45 appearances across two loan spells at Charlton and Swansea during the 2019/20 season, Gallagher's value rose to £12.4m (€14.4m)

Making a sharp rise to stardom from an early age, subsequent loans at Premier League sides West Brom and Crystal Palace allowed him to showcase his all-action midfield displays in the top flight, as his spectacular performances in the latter of those spells earned him an array of plaudits.

Registering more direct goal involvements than any other Palace player across the 2021/22 season with 11, Gallagher was utilised by Patrick Vieira in a more advanced midfield role, and the Frenchman waxed lyrical about his outstanding performances.

He said: "He surprised me with his finishing, he surprised me with his energy, he surprised me with the way he gets into the box at the right time to score goals".

Exceeding expectations by becoming the Eagles talisman and a senior England international, by the time he returned to Chelsea, his value skyrocketed to £32m (€37.6m), as per Football Transfers' xTV model.

Now an integral part of Mauricio Pochettino's plans, Gallagher has been one of the Blues standout performers this term.

What is Conor Gallagher worth now?

Gallagher is the type of midfielder who can overpower the opposition with his abundance of energy and desire to cover ground, utilising his love of ball-winning to rescue possession for his side.

Operating next to the mesmeric playmaking abilities of Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher's indefatigable work rate and unbelievable stamina are two of the standout attributes that place him in the upper echelons among the league's most industrious midfielders.

Eating up ground like it's going out of fashion and operating like a battery that never dies, the 23-year-old averages 3.1 tackles per game, 7.3 balls recovered, 1.9 interceptions and duel success of 60%, as per Sofascore.

While this aggressive nature to win possession back is crucial in the Blue's midfield machine, he's also astute in possession, registering a pass completion of 91% and a long pass success rate of 83%, indicating that he's capable of making line splitting passes.

Dubbed by former manager and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard as a "top talent" after he captained his side to victory over Fulham, the midfielder has showcased his amazing character since Pochettino was appointed manager, with the Argentine awarding him increased game time and responsibility.

After nearly departing the club this summer, the £50k-per-week England international's rise from academy graduate to first-team regular should be used as a tool of inspiration for any youngster aspiring to follow the hard work and dedication that has propelled Gallagher into a £50m-rated star.

Toni Kroos has insisted that Real Madrid don't need Kylian Mbappe, with the France superstar reportedly closing in on a deal with Los Blancos

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• Kroos insisted he has no information about Mbappe transfer
• Claimed Madrid "already have a good team"
• Mbappe has reportedly agreed a deal with Los Blancos

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The German midfielder refused to reveal any details on Mbappe's potential transfer to the Spanish capital. France's captain has informed Paris Saint-Germain of his wishes to leave this summer, with a number of outlets reporting that he plans on making a long-awaited Madrid move.

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• WHAT TONI KROOS SAID

  In a pre-match press conference, Kroos refused to get dragged into Mbappe transfer talk: "If even he doesn't know, how can I know? The important thing is to win things. It would be nice for Madrid, but I think we already have a good team."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mbappe has been here before. The winger appeared set to sign for Los Blancos in 2022 but turned down their offer at the last minute in favour of a lucrative extension with the Parisians.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KROOS?

  Kroos, for his part, might not be in Madrid by next summer. The midfielder is yet to pen a new deal for Carlo Ancelotti's side, and hasn't shown any great willing to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the 2023-24 season. Until then, he will continue to appear for the German national team, who beat Mbappe's France on Saturday.

Tottenham Hotspur's defensive frailties are a thing of the past, but that does not mean that improvements to the backline are not requisite for sustaining the success that has arisen from Ange Postecoglou's managerial magic wand.

The Australian tactician took to the dugout down the N17 in June with sights set on making his mark where a line of illustrious predecessors had fallen, but so far he has been a triumph, launching Spurs into the ascendancy.

The Premier League table-toppers have put last year's malaise firmly behind them, having finished eighth and conceded 63 goals in the league term – a concession rate below only 2022/23's relegated trio and newly-promoted Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.

Micky van de Ven was signed to combat the papery backline, a centre-half of remarkable speed and athleticism, arriving from German side Wolfsburg for £43m with Liverpool loathe to meet the expensive tag for one of modest experience; he's been a bona fide success so far.

Jurgen Klopp's loss is Big Ange's gain, and this glittering new partnership with the mighty but mercurial Cristian Romero has formed the base of the framework for the relentless churning of results.

This starring defensive axis looks poised to retain its vigour for years to come, but there is no question that Spurs must bolster and deepen the ranks in 2024 to compete across multiple fronts.

Tottenham's finish last term has left European football accessible only through the screen this year, and with Fulham defeating Postecoglou's side in the Carabao Cup in September, rotation is not as weighty a concern. That will change soon, based on the exploits over the past few months.

With Eric Dier's contract expiring in June and the England international having failed to earn a single minute this season, fresh faces are a necessity, and chairman Daniel Levy might have identified a perfect, cost-efficient solution.

Tottenham transfer targets – Victor Nelsson

According to the Daily Express' Charlie Gordon in July, Spurs had ended their interest in Galatasaray central defender Victor Nelsson after moving for Van de Ven, though recent reports suggest that the road to London has been reopened for the ace.

While Nelsson is one of the Turkish Super Lig's standout defenders, a contractual stalemate has left him alienated from Okan Buruk's starting line-up, and a January exit looks increasingly likely.

And in light of these revelations, outlet Aksam have revealed that Tottenham could now revisit their interest, with the previous €25m (£21m) valuation in reduction.

Various reports – relayed by Sport Witness – suggest that Tottenham offered around €20m (£17m) for the 25-year-old's services in the summer but Galatasaray were indeed pushing for the aforementioned fee, halting talks.

Aksam believe that Gala would now be willing to part with the player for just €15-20m (£13-17m), and given that Postecoglou is searching for a defender to support – not surpass – his current pairing, this looks to be the deal to make.

Victor Nelsson's style of play

The Danish defender has been an important member of Galatasaray's efforts over the past several years, having joined the club from Copenhagen in 2021. Since then, he has completed 93 appearances, winning the Super Lig last season after featuring heavily.

Following the recent contract dispute, however, Nelsson has been consigned to the periphery and has not started any of Galatasaray's past six league matches after beginning from the outset across the opening four.

This is not really in relation to his performances – the ace has performed well, completing 87% of his passes and winning a whopping 77% of his duels – but Buruk appears to be preparing for life without his services.

The 6 foot 2 titan clearly possesses excellent timing and immense anticipation, not diving into challenges if proving a little hesitant at times, but his positional awareness and reading of the game have attracted Postecoglou's interest as he looks to strengthen.

And if Dier does leave in January, then there is much worth in pushing ahead with discussions to secure an upgrade that will not leave the aspiring Lilywhites with a shallow surface.

How Nelsson compares to Eric Dier

Dier has been something of a stalwart for Tottenham since joining from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £4m in 2014, though having been branded a "liability" by writer Mitch Fretton, his time appears to be up.

The dynamic defender, aged 29, did not look up to scratch last term and was at the epicentre of the woes, and his new manager's decision to cast him to the fringe might be a ruthless decision, but this stony streak is paying dividends and it's difficult to argue against it.

Last season, as per Sofascore, Dier completed 86% of his passes and averaged 3.3 clearances per game, though made two catastrophic errors to sit atop a pile of inconsistent, wobbly moments, with journalist Ryan Taylor even claiming that he is "nowhere near the required level" for a team of Tottenham's ambitions.

Nelsson, in comparison, has been noted for his "exemplary development" by well-informed talent scout Jacek Kulig and is now eyeing an opportunity to impress at the highest level, in the Premier League.

Nelsson offers a similar set of skills to his Tottenham counterpart, last season also completing 86% of his passes and making 3.3 tackles per game, but he clearly holds greater stability at his core and would be a composed presence at the club.

Victor Nelsson: Style of play (WhoScored)

Strengths

Weaknesses

Concentration

Tackling

Aerial superiority

The defensive “monster” – as Nelsson has also been dubbed by Kulig – certainly offers skills of similar quality to Dier's, with his 2022/23 metrics aligning with the Englishman's, and while some might feel that this should serve as a deterrent given Dier's non-existent presence at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, this does not paint the full picture.

Nelsson is a rising star, a wanted commodity by multiple Premier League sides – supposedly including rivals Arsenal – and given that he would not be expected to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders upon joining, seamless integration and a utility role will allow him to acclimatise nicely.

Whether Postecoglou forges ahead with a winter bid remains to be seen – as does all transfer murmurings at this stage of the season – but with Dier headed for the door, Nelsson is the man to bolster the backline of an outfit on the up.

Leeds United are now open to selling a "special" player in the January transfer window, according to a new report.

Players to leave Leeds in 2023

It has been an eventful 2023 for the Whites, who began the year with Jesse Marsch in charge at Elland Road. The American was sacked, with Michael Skubala, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce all leading the club before they were relegated from the Premier League.

Now under new owners in the 49ers Enterprises, Leeds let go a number of players during the summer window, plenty of which were on loan due to relegation release clauses.

Players to Leeds leave

Loan or permanent?

Tyler Adams

Permanent

Robin Koch

Loan

Max Wober

Loan

Rodrigo

Permanent

Brenden Aaronson

Loan

Jack Harrison

Loan

Tyler Adams

Permanent

Luis Sinisterra

Loan

Rasmus Kristensen

Loan

Marc Roca

Loan

Cody Drameh

Loan

Sam Greenwood

Loan

Diego Llorente

Loan

Adam Forshaw

Permanent

Joel Robles

Permanent

Since then, Daniel Farke was brought in as manager, and Leeds appear to be putting solid foundations in place, with the Whites currently third in the Championship.

One player who has been involved in some Elland Road drama during the current campaign, though, is Wilfried Gnonto. The Italy international went on strike earlier in the season as he looked to force through a transfer away from the club, but as we know, Leeds stood firm and the forward remained in Yorkshire.

There have been recent reports that Gnonto is unhappy at Leeds ahead of the New Year, although the player himself recently reacted to those reports on social media.

Leeds open to selling Wilfried Gnonto

Now, a new development has emerged, with Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke claiming Leeds, and by extension the 49ers, would allow Gnonto to leave if they receive the right offer. Gnonto’s valuation is thought to be ‘lofty’, although O’Rourke doesn’t specify a fee, with the 20-year-old looking to make the Italy squad for next year’s European Championships.

Skubala hailed Gnonto as a “special” player earlier in the year, however, Farke publicly said that Gnonto won’t be getting a third chance after going on strike.

“If Willy has learned his lesson, he has apologised, he has spoken about that he made a mistake, then I'm always open also to give such a young lad a second chance.

“You get a second chance but there is no third chance and right now it's up to him to impress with unbelievable hard work and he has to work even harder in training and in the games to win all the love and also all the trust and support back, the ball is in his court right now.”

Therefore, it’ll be interesting to see how Gnonto and his representatives view the upcoming winter window, especially as the forward has only started seven games in all competitions due to injury and Farke preferring Dan James and Crysencio Summerville. (Wilfried Gnonto stats – Transfermarkt)