Leeds United look set to miss out on Charles De Ketelaere as their chase stretched over a month to try to sign the Club Brugge man.
Overall, it’s been a very successful summer transfer window for Leeds so far where incomings are concerned, knowing that Jesse Marsch has rectified a lot of the side’s weaknesses.
Although, one of those is the lack of strength in depth and variety from his attacking options, and they still are in search of a solution after a transfer saga over Charles De Ketelaere dragged along this month.
Despite Leeds’ having a club-record offer on the table since June, they look set to lose this pursuit with the player nearing a move to AC Milan.
Here, we look at two knock-on effects that this extended saga will have on the club as we approach the start of the season…
Waste of time
The level of ambition here shown by Victor Orta is commendable, and with the player available, you cannot blame the club for trying their luck with De Ketelaere.
However, waiting over a month just to be told that he’s actually moving to Milan is a colossal waste of precious time in the transfer window.
With Leeds needing a left-back and a forward, that month could have been spent tying down a more attainable target, as well as resolving a more pressing issue in the lineup, after Junior Firpo’s injury.
We now only have a week until the season is underway and a key position that many thought needed strengthening is not yet addressed.
The club will have to work hard to make up for this lost time, but with how the window has gone so far, don’t put it past them to find a quick and effective answer.
Who definitely should start up front v Wolves?
Patrick Bamford
Joe Gelhardt
Rodrigo
Marsch’s selection headache
With no new face likely coming into the side for the opening day against Wolves, Marsch has a difficult selection process on his hands.
Most would point to Patrick Bamford as the main man to lead the line against Bruno Lake’s men on Saturday, but with the form of Joe Gelhardt in the back end of the season and in pre-season, he’s hard to ignore.
You also have to consider the spearhead of the Leadership Council, Rodrigo, for a starting place as he continues to be an important figure in Marsch’s squad, having donned the armband during pre-season.
It’s a tough call for Marsch to make having seemingly shifted to a 4-2-3-1 setup this summer, making the competition for a starting place twice as hard for those front men.