PL rivals react to Leeds United transfer statement with shock double raid – It may backfire: View
Leeds United made a huge statement taking Harry Wilson from Fulham on a free transfer. Now, Alvaro Arbeloa is calling upon his Real Madrid connections in response.
When looking at how Leeds are shaping up for the season ahead, it’s also worth paying attention to how our rivals are faring.
Of course, there’s a lot of time between now and the season starting, and then the window shutting. However, Leeds will hope we can steal a march on some more established clubs.
Fulham looking to respond to Harry Wilson setback with Real Madrid double swoop
Leeds’ first move of the summer was a real ‘sit up and take notice’ transfer. Harry Wilson had just had the best season of his career at Fulham, but despite ongoing talks at Craven Cottage for him to stay put, among other clubs keeping tabs, Leeds got a deal done.
It shows that Leeds are capable of landing players at the peak of their powers from rival clubs. In turn, it strengthens Leeds’ ambitions of unsettling the established pack of clubs outside of Europe.
Fulham, meanwhile, need to reinforce their attack under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa. The former Real Madrid man is clearly using his contacts at the Santiago Bernabeu for a favour or two.
It’s reported that an agreement has been reached for striker Gonzalo Garcia – presumably a Raul Jimenez replacement. And, an attacking midfielder is close to joining too, fellow Madridista Cesar Palacios.
Fulham taking huge risks as Leeds United watch on at rival transfer activity
Signing a striker for a reported £34million fee is a decent statement from Fulham, and shows they are looking to strengthen well after losing Jimenez and Wilson.
However, the deal comes laced with clauses to make Fulham’s end look much worse: €40m fixed fee, €2m in future add-ons, a 30% sell-on clause, and matching rights for Real.
The same sell-on clause is present in Fulham’s deal to sign Palacios for £8.55million – per Fabrizio Romano. Clearly, Fulham are happy to give Arbeloa players he’s familiar with, recruiting specifically for the manager after years of Marco Silva building a stable Premier League squad.
With such an overhaul taking place, it’s unsurprising that many neutrals are tipping the Cottagers as relegation outsiders.
Signing two very talented players out of Real Madrid’s prestigious academy isn’t evidence to suggest they’re doomed. However, it’s rare that a Premier League club succeeds in forming their entire recruitment strategy around players the manager has worked with previously.
For Leeds looking on, it’s ideal that so many clubs like Fulham are in the process of an overhaul. The chances of all eight newly appointed managers sticking the landing is slim. Meanwhile, Daniel Farke is the third-longest-serving boss in the division.
It’s continuity and an ever-improving squad, versus clubs having to rip everything up. There’s a strong case to be made Leeds are better for this.
38%
25%
13%
0%
25%
