A look at the latest Leeds United headlines on Friday, 2 September.
Victor Orta 'respects' Bamba Dieng's decision to snub Leeds United on deadline day
Leeds United sporting director Victor Orta insists that he ‘respects’ Bamba Dieng’s decision following his transfer deadline day saga.
The Whites had agreed an £8.6million fee with Marseille and personal terms with Dieng ahead of his proposed transfer. The 22-year-old was poised to board a private jet to Leeds when a counter bid arrived from OGC Nice.
In a remarkable turn of events, Dieng decided to snub Leeds' offer and travelled to the South of France. But the drama was set to continue when another twist in the plot added to one of the most intriguing transfer sagas on transfer deadline day.
Dan James' first words after Leeds United exit as winger tells of 'great Fulham fit'
Daniel James has described Fulham as a 'great fit' for his career after completing a loan switch from Leeds United on transfer deadline day. The 24-year-old is understood to have made the move in an effort to increase his playing time ahead of this winter's World Cup in Qatar.
The Wales international scored four goals in 35 appearances in 2021/22 following his £25million transfer from rivals Manchester United last summer. But after just one year since his arrival in West Yorkshire, James is set to feature for his third club in the Premier League, albeit temporarily.
"I'm looking forward to it," James told FFCtv following his arrival. "I've spoken to the gaffer and it feels like a great fit for me, and I can't waited to get started."
Pascal Struijk named in Netherlands' provisional squad
Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk has been named in the Netherlands provisional squad for the first time. The 23-year-old is one of five players to receive a first international call-up for the Oranje.
The Netherlands will face Poland (22 Sep) and Belgium (25 Sep) during the upcoming international break in September.
Van Gaal’s 32-man provisional squad will have to be whittled down to 26 players.
Cody Gakpo took Louis van Gaal advice on board as forward explains Leeds United snub
Advice from former Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal contributed to Cody Gakpo ultimately deciding to snub Leeds United on deadline day. Leeds sporting director Victor Orta travelled to the Netherlands for negotiations but returned empty handed after Gakpo decided to stay in Eindhoven.
Eindhoven Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink claimed that Gakpo’s international boss van Gaal was partly responsible for the 23-year-old deciding not to complete a switch to Elland Road.
Elfrink tweeted on Thursday: “At Leeds United, Louis van Gaal is believed to have played a crucial role in preventing the Gakpo deal. The club are totally baffled, wanting to pay 43 million euros and went over Southampton, who wanted to pay 40 million.”
Leeds United transfer target Joel Piroe responds to Premier League links
Leeds United target Joel Piroe has dismissed any rumours linking him with a move away from the Liberty Stadium. The Swansea City forward received formal interest from Leeds on transfer deadline day and had also been linked with fellow Premier League outfit Leicester City.
Piroe scored 24 goals across all competitions last season after completing his switch from Eredivisie heavyweights PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch forward failed to score in any of his first five outings in the current campaign but has found the net in back-to-back games against Middlesbrough and Stoke City respectively.
No move materialised for the 23-year-old, who insists that he is ‘happy’ at the Liberty Stadium.
Every Leeds United in and out this summer as transfer window comes to an end
Leeds United's transfer window certainly hasn't been boring. The Whites made their first signing on May 26 - just four days after a gruelling Premier League campaign had ended - and they announced their last addition just after midnight on September 2, an hour after the transfer window had closed.
The signing of Wilfried Gnonto brought an end to a busy summer period at Elland Road, which saw Leeds lose two of their key players to a couple of European heavyweights. Aside from the deadline day arrival of Gnonto, the Whites did the majority of their business early and a number of new signings have already had a big impact at Elland Road with the season still in its infancy.
Leeds did miss out on transfer targets. Their pursuit of Charles De Ketelaere failed, with the Belgian striker opting to join AC Milan, while a late move for Marseille forward Bamba Dieng fell through on deadline day. The Whites ended up bringing eight fresh faces to Yorkshire.
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