Leeds United are busy in the transfer market and although The 49ers are yet to rubber stamp any new signings, they have already made some moves in terms of the playing staff.
Daniel Farke has guided Leeds back into the Premier League at the second attempt and with that, means a big turnover of playing staff is expected. The Whites are likely to spend north of £100m this summer.
No signings have been made at this stage of the summer, with Premier League and European campaigns still ongoing. However, Leeds have published their retained list and confirmed the exits of 11 players.
Only one senior player has been confirmed as leaving Leeds on a free transfer so far, in veteran Josuha Guilavogui. Leeds could still release Sam Byram and Junior Firpo but say talks are ongoing to keep them.
Aidy White comments on Josuha Guilavogui’s Leeds United exit
Guilavogui joined Leeds last October after injuries to both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. A seven-time France international with Atletico Madrid, Wolfsburg and other big European sides on his glittering CV.
After he broke Vinnie Jones’ record of remaining unbeaten in his first Leeds games, his exit has now been confirmed on a free. Aidy White told The Square Ball that Guilavogui has an “amazing character”.
“He probably knew the script. His performances were okay, but from what players say and what they’ve said on his farewell post speak volumes. What an amazing character he’s been to have around the club.
“Such a positive character. It’s easy for a player to come in and say I should be playing, but he wasn’t that at all. The fact the players say he’s one of the best guys in football speaks huge volumes,” Guilavogui said.
How the Leeds United squad reacted to Josuha Guilavogui’s exit
The majority of the Leeds squad have reacted to Guilavogui’s departure on social media. A player that has good relationships with the elder players in the squad but also surprisingly, some of Leeds’ younger stars.
Indeed, his relationship with Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto was strong. Ramazani described him as a “legend” and Gnonto said: “Thank you for everything you have done for me and for us. I will miss you.”
Alex Cairns, Brenden Aaronson, Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk and plenty more responded. But perhaps the best response came from Junior Firpo who said Guilavogui is a “persona de luz” or a “person of life.”
It will be interesting to see where Guilavogui ends up next. The Frenchman was linked with a move to Paris FC in January, RedBull’s latest club purchase, who have just been promoted to the top tier in France.
