Late Deadline Day Twist: Leeds Nearly Secured Three Signings
On the final day of the 2024 summer window, Leeds United pulled off two clever moves by landing Ao Tanaka and Isaac Schmidt. Yet, few fans realise the Whites were on the brink of adding a third marquee signing in just 24 hours. It would have been a seismic statement of intent from Daniel Farke’s squad.
Ao Tanaka has since been nothing short of sensational. The Japan international has dazzled at Elland Road, earning a place in the Championship Team of the Season after a bargain £3.4m switch from Düsseldorf. That fee now looks like highway robbery given his midfield mastery and leadership on the pitch.
Conversely, Isaac Schmidt has struggled for game time, restricted largely to late cameo appearances. His future in Yorkshire remains uncertain, and whispers of a possible exit are growing louder. Yet had Leeds secured the third target, the dynamic of their squad—and the challenges ahead—might look very different.
The Baturina Bid Unpacked: Inside Elland Road’s £25m Offer
Behind the scenes, Leeds tabled an audacious £25m offer for Dinamo Zagreb’s rising star Martin Baturina. Widely heralded as Croatia’s next big export after Luka Modrić, the 22-year-old has netted and created 18 goals this season alone. It was a bold move that sent shockwaves through European scouting networks.
Dinamo Zagreb reportedly accepted the bid in the dying hours of deadline day, only for the deal to collapse moments later when Baturina himself turned down the chance to move to the Championship. Frankly, it was a heartbreak for Leeds supporters who craved a creative spark in the final third.
The episode highlighted a harsh reality: while Leeds can dream big, top talents still weigh up the allure of bigger leagues. Yet, the club’s willingness to back Farke with such investment underlines a commitment that many pundits have praised as refreshingly ambitious.
Promotion Spurs Renewed Chase for Croatian Wonderkid
Fast forward to summer 2025, and Leeds find themselves back in the transfer conversation for Baturina—this time armed with Premier League status. Insider Fabrizio Romano reports that the youngster is expected to leave Zagreb for €20–25m, with English top-flight clubs already circling. The timing couldn’t be better for the Whites.
With Brenden Aaronson’s form still inconsistent at the highest level, Leeds desperately need a reliable No.10 who can unlock defences. Baturina fits the bill, possessing vision, dribbling flair and an eye for goal. Our view? He’d be the coup of the summer for any mid-table Premier League side.
Sure, competition will be fierce—Eintracht Frankfurt and Serie A outfits are also in the hunt—but Leeds now have the top-flight platform to convince players to join the project. Should they reignite their pursuit of Baturina, expect Elland Road to once again be at the centre of a breathless transfer saga.
