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‘This stings’ – Many Leeds United fans react as Premier League rivals steal ahead in transfer race

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Leeds United’s interest in Stade Brest left-back Romain Perraud appears to have gone completely cold and he looks set to sign for Leeds’ Premier League rivals Southampton.

Leeds are in need of a left-back this summer as Gjanni Alioski’s future remains completely in doubt. The lack of depth in that position has always been an issue for Marcelo Bielsa.

While the boss has been able to call upon some solid performances from the North Macedonian in the run-in, the lack of consistency, coupled with Stuart Dallas’ need to play elsewhere, means that Leeds need long-term stability there.

One player that had been strongly linked was Stade Brest’s impressive defender Romain Perraud, as per The Athletic back in February.

The Frenchman has been exceptional this season, with his three goals and seven assists a testament to that in a relegation-threatened side.

However, along with Leeds’ previous interest has come much stronger attention from the South Coast in Southmapton.

It has now been revealed by Daily Express reporter Ryan Taylor that the Saints are close to completing the £8.5million signing of Perraud:

At such a modest fee, it’s one that seems a tad frustrating from a Leeds perspective, but the fans aren’t too worried about this one passing by…

Perraud was one of the names I would have ben happiest with us bringing in, because he suits us very well both in attack and without the ball.

That profile is similar for the Saints too and he gives them good natural width, something they’ve needed from their full-back positions this summer.

At £8.5million, I don’t see where there are many better value-for-money signings out there, but that’s where the trust in Victor Orta comes in.

No one would have backed us to sign Raphinha for £17million last summer and look at how that turned out. Time will tell whether this is a deal that we really missed out on.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.