FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Leeds United v Leicester City - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - April 25, 2023 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
A recent story claims that one of Leeds United’s summer additions has already sparked conflict within the team.
The Whites had a busy summer as they brought in a number of players to assemble a team that might contend in the Premier League again. As of right now, they have won their first four Championship games, indicating that the additions have had a positive effect.
Eyeing a post-window deal, Leeds United
During the summer transfer window, Leeds recruited eight players to their roster, including Manor Solomon, Jayden Bogle, and Joe Rodon. The Yorkshire team sent out 19 players in addition to the arrivals, several of them were well-known players.
The Whites have agreed to an early post-window move, whereby they will sign Leonard Ngenge to a pre-contract deal, despite the fact that the window has closed in England as of Monday. The 16-year-old defender has already spent time at Leeds’ practice facility because he was just put on trial.
According to reports, Ngenge got Leeds’ attention during his trial and the club wanted to extend a contract to him; however, because of FIFA regulations, he cannot sign a deal until he turns 18. The defender will join Leeds’ youth team when he reaches eighteen, and his goal is to perform well enough to eventually be considered for a spot in the starting lineup.
Leeds’s new recruit sparks controversy
Ao Tanaka, who joined Leeds toward the conclusion of the transfer window, was never “the first choice” for the team, according to Rheinische Post, which Sport Witness has confirmed. Manager Daniel Farke is not happy about the Yorkshire hierarchy’s decision to pursue the player, according to the report, and a dispute has arisen over the transfer between the manager and Leeds’ higher-ups.
With less than a year remaining on his Fortuna Düsseldorf contract and his refusal to sign a new one, the German team opted to take advantage of Tanaka’s situation and signed a four-year deal when Leeds came calling.
The 25-year-old made 95 appearances for Fortuna Düsseldorf between July 2022 and July 2023, tallying 10 goals and eight assists. The versatile midfielder, who can play both an attacking and defensive role, was vital in helping the German team advance to the Bundesliga 2 play-offs the previous season. However, it appears he still needs to improve in order to gain Farke’s approval at Elland Road.
