Leeds had a deal ready to go for an Arsenal defender, but the latest Leeds United transfer news claims the Gunners pulled the plug.
Rob Holding was heading to Elland Road on a season long loan, per TeamTalk, but Mikel Arteta decided he wanted to keep hold of the centre-back at the last minute.
Leeds had got as far as giving Arsenal a loan fee and wages contribution, according to reports. Holding will stay at Arsenal for the season, it appears, and started their season opener away to Fulham last weekend.
The Gunners have a lot of depth at centre-back, but it has already been called upon with a long list of injuries building up. Holding could get more minutes than expected this season.
Leeds will have to look elsewhere as they hope to bolster their centre-back depth.
Spurs Leave Out Leeds Target
Per reports from The Sun, Leeds have shown an interest in Tottenham defender Juan Foyth.
Foyth, a player who can play in several different positions, was left out of Spurs’ squad for their Thursday match with Lokomotiv Plodiv.
The news could encourage Leeds in their pursuit of Foyth, and might make the defender force a move away from the club.
Cameron Carter-Vickers was picked ahead of Foyth for the Europa League squad. He’s fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho and will likely need an injury crisis to get any meaningful minutes at Spurs this term.
It was reported by ESPN that Foyth wants to stay at the club, but this could make him reconsider his position. The Sun claimed he is valued at around £15 million. Given the outlay for Robin Koch, Leeds might be reluctant to pay such a fee.
Leeds Turned Down By Croatian Defender
Leeds were in position to finally sign Dinamo Zagreb defender Josko Gvardiol. With a fee of £20 million plus 20% of the next transfer agreed, Gvardiol turned down a move to Yorkshire, instead preferring to remain in Croatia.
This major update comes from Tportal, who report Gvardiol ‘decided to say no’ to the move.
It’s added that Leeds have ‘failed’ in their attempts to land Gvardiol, though the Elland Road faithful can take a bit of hope from the report. Tportal claimed Leeds have failed ‘at least for now’, which suggests the transfer could yet go through.
Dinamo were supposedly happy to take the fee. They need the money. Leeds’ spending power is what kept them in the race for Gvardiol, who might prefer a move to Leipzig.
Arguably the most exciting defender Leeds have been linked with, this is a real blow to Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Manu Fernandez / AP Photo*
