Leeds United hold interest in Lille left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson but the idea that the club are in advanced stages of talks with the player is inaccurate.
Claims that the 26-year-old had been spotted at Leeds' Thorp Arch training ground circulated across social media on Thursday, but club contacts have shut down this inaccuracy and labelled it false.
Gudmundsson is a talent who the Whites like amidst a lack of clarity hanging over the left-back position. While Junior Firpo appears close to a switch to Real Betis, there is still ambiguity over the future of Sam Byram.
Byram has told the club he wishes to stay but contract negotiations are yet to reach a conclusion. The bottom line is nothing has been formalised but it seems likely that left-back will need bolstering in some capacity.
Gudmundsson, who boasts Champions League experience and has 15 caps for Sweden, has 12 months left on his contract at Lille. Last season, he recorded two goals and an assist in 45 matches, also helping to keep 12 clean sheets including one against Real Madrid.
Bijol and next signing update
In a similar vein, United are understood be a little way off - or at least not close - on any new signing after Jaka Bijol. The Udinese centre-back is expected to be unveiled within the next few days with only ‘admin’ details to be sorted out.
The Slovenia regular completed his medical at the club on Wednesday, with club insiders indicating all has gone to plan. His arrival would be the second signing of the summer following Lukas Nmecha’s capture.
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However, while there has been a flurry of activity in recent weeks, as things stand Leeds are not closing in on their next recruit after Bijol just yet. Midfielder Noah Sidike of Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise is a player the club admire.
However, it’s been made clear that no bid has been tabled, despite contrary claims. Of course, the situation and circumstances can always change, and quickly, but it seems probable that further purchases are not formalised until the new spending cycle in July.
Mateo Joseph situation
Mateo Joseph has spoken out on the “lack of clarity" surrounding his future, outlining that he is seeking more game time next season. He has confirmed that he has yet to hold talks with the club, with him currently away with Spain at the Under-21 European Championships.
Leeds Live understands that Real Betis and Strasbourg are two clubs tracking the striker, who missed a penalty against Romania U21s last weekend after scoring against Slovakia. However, sources have outlined that no bid has been formally tabled for the 21-year-old, whose United contract lasts until 2028.
Joseph started last season as the main striker before being usurped by Joel Piroe. During the run-in period, Patrick Bamford was favoured as the replacement to use from the bench ahead of Joseph, who didn't start a league game after the turn of the new year.
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