Football League World

Sunderland have carried out some exceptional business over the last few seasons, with a number of cheap deals evolving into key first team players.

Under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman, the club have been shrewd in the transfer market, and although some have been critical of their spending, nobody can question the quality they have brought in at minimal cost.

While the likes of Trai Hume and Luke O'Nien have flourished since their inexpensive moves, Dennis Cirkin has emerged as a considerable talent since his move from Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs might regret letting Dennis Cirkin leave for Sunderland

Having never made a senior appearance for the club, Tottenham were willing to depart with Cirkin in the summer of 2021. At 19 years of age, the Black Cats pounced on the opportunity to sign the left-back, who had vast potential.

Although Cirkin moved for a reported undisclosed fee, as per BBC Sport, the figure to bring the defender to Wearside cannot have been much, considering the club were in League One.

Indeed, Lee Johnson, who was Sunderland manager at the time, spoke extremely highly of Cirkin on the club's official website: "To get a player of Dennis' quality at 19 speaks wonders in terms of what we're trying to do. He is a top talent, and he's very highly regarded within the game."

Sure enough, Johnson was right and the left-back continued to develop into an outstanding player. Considering his significant potential, Spurs may be rueing the decision to let Cirkin leave.

Dennis Cirkin has showcased his talent despite injury setbacks at Sunderland

Upon his arrival at the Stadium of Light, Johnson wasted no time in slotting Cirkin straight into his side. In the left-back's maiden season at the club, the defender became a stalwart in the Sunderland team and made 37 appearances in their 2021/22 League One promotion campaign.

Cirkin made the leap from League One to the Championship look seamless and benefited from Tony Mowbray's free-flowing system; the left-back was encouraged to get forward and thus contributed five goals and one assist during the 2022/23 season.

Despite his contributions in the 2022/23 campaign, Cirkin could have contributed even more if it were not for a series of injuries that disrupted his season. The left-back suffered a muscle injury, knee injury and concussion which kept him out for several spells.

Unfortunately, Cirkin's luck with injuries got no better and during the 2023/24 season, the left-back underwent surgery on his left hamstring; the injury kept the defender out for the remainder of the season, meaning he was only able to make eight appearances.

Although he had endured a stop-start stint on Wearside, there was never any doubting Cirkin's talent. When fit, he was first choice and had demonstrated his all round ability at left-back.

Dennis Cirkin has been a standout performer in the 2024/25 Championship season

This season, Cirkin has performed at the very top of his game and credit must go to Regis Le Bris for getting the best out of the left-back.

In Sunderland's first game of the season against Cardiff City, the 22-year-old put in a mesmerising performance, which included an assist. Although Luke O'Nien was awarded man of the match, Cirkin was certainly in the running.

Cirkin continued his attacking prowess and got on the scoresheet in the Wearsiders' 4-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. After four games, the left-back has been one of the standout players in the league and is developing at an alarming rate.

If he can remain fit, then the sky is the limit for Cirkin, and with such a high ceiling, Spurs will be watching on with clenched fists.

Cirkin is creating an incredible story line at Sunderland. Having joined the club in League One, he has risen with the club to the top of the Championship.

Despite a series of injuries, the left-back has continued his meteoric rise and is contributing at both ends of the pitch in red and white.

Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray left the club after just one season to join Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, but Spurs may also be keen on adding his brother to their ranks, Harry Gray.

Archie will hope to realise more of his potential under Ange Postecoglou, but Spurs could reunite the two brothers after reports from TBR Football report that Harry is being eyed as another star to bolster their ranks, with Archie and Lucas Bergvall highlighting their push for more high potential stars.

Archie was Leeds' crown jewel and has penned a six-year deal with Spurs, after they agreed a fee of around £40 million with the West Yorkshire outfit for the 18-year-old, with Joe Rodon returning to Leeds in the other direction for around £10 million on a permanent basis, having been a hugely successful loan signing last year.

At the age of just 18, Gray is already a well-rounded player but with plenty more potential as well. His ability to carry the ball and his first touch is already top drawer. He is a player that is mature beyond his years and capable of imposing himself on a game at either right-back or in his preferred central midfield role.

He is calm and composed on the ball, and demands it from his teammates. Gray's decision-making and speed of thought will only improve in time, as will his physicality; but they are all strong areas of his skill-set for a player of such a young age.

Leeds starlet Harry Gray eyed by Spurs

The family name speaks to the talents of both Archie (pictured above) and Harry Gray at Leeds. They are in good company as the grandnephews of Leeds legend Eddie Gray, with another favourite with the Whites faithful in Frank Gray as their grandfather, and they are also Andy Gray's son; all of whom played for Leeds at one stage or another.

Spurs are reportedly keen to remain in the loop with Leeds when it comes to Archie's younger brother, with TBR Football reporting that they are already informing Leeds that they would like to sign the young striker.

The 15-year-old is the spitting image of his sibling, and has been linked with a move away previously, with Man City one interested party potentially. He is also said to be attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League, much like his older brother.

TBR Football understand that the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle United are also very keen on the talented youngster and are monitoring his progress with Leeds.

He does not turn 16 until next month but is already playing in the U-18 Premier League and was involved in pre-season with Leeds' first-team as well.

He came on against the likes of Harrogate Town, but is a few years away from the first-team yet. However, if he's anything like his brother, then he has an extremely bright future as a footballer.

He would also become the fifth Gray to appear in a Leeds shirt if he plays a part this season, unless Premier League interest grows too strong to ignore.

Archie Gray and Harry Gray's potential

Crucially, both Gray brothers are only going to improve from here, but their priority should be with a club that will offer regular game time and a clear pathway into the first-team.

For Archie, Spurs could be the best of the Premier League's elite in that sense under Postecoglou. Regular enough game time is paramount for him to realise his enormous potential.

If they can offer Gray and his brother the footballing opportunities they require to continue their development and to continue improving, then this could be a perfect fit for either youngster.

Archie was almost ever-present with Leeds during their promotion push last season, which may tempt Harry into staying, knowing that Daniel Farke's side will offer him a pathway into the first-team fold with Leeds.

His family's legacy at Elland Road is also something he will be acutely aware of and the fact that he is one of the most exciting talents to have emerged through the club's academy in a generation, alongside Archie.

The 2017/18 season was not one that went at all well from a Stoke City perspective.

Heading into the campaign, the Potters were preparing for their tenth consecutive season in the top-flight of English football.

As a result of the financial benefits that came with their top tier status, the club were able to invest heavily in a number of new signings during the summer of 2017.

However, not all of those signings would work out for Stoke City, which come the end of the campaign would prove very costly indeed.

One player who certainly fell into that particular scenario in Staffordshire, was Kevin Wimmer.

Stoke paid big money for Kevin Wimmer

After spending the last two years at Tottenham, it was confirmed that Wimmer had joined the Potters in August 2017.

Despite the fact he had never been a regular for Spurs during his time there, it was reported that Stoke still paid a fee of around £18million for the centre-back.

In doing so, the Austrian became one of the club's most expensive signings ever, and it would prove to be an expensive one in many ways.

Initially, Wimmer was a regular feature in the Stoke side, often as a starter, under then manager Mark Hughes.

However, he struggled to impress with his performances, and came in for some significant criticism from the fanbase, as the Potters battled relegation right from the start of the campaign.

Indeed, after Hughes was sacked and replaced in January 2018 by Paul Lambert as manager, the centre-back did not make another appearance that season.

The new manager reportedly also put Wimmer on a special fitness regime, further highlighting his problems at the club.

The centre-back's removal from the side did coincide with some improved defensive performances, although Stoke could not muster enough in attack needed to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Even so, the drop-down a division did nothing to improve the Austrian's fortunes at the Bet365 Stadium.

If anything, things would only serve to get worse with regards to this deal, after the Potters dropped into the second-tier of English football.

Kevin Wimmer played no part for the Potters in the Championship

Not long after relegation was confirmed for Stoke, Wimmer was on the move, as he joined Hannover on loan for the 2018/19 season, with an option to buy.

However, the centre-back failed to make enough appearances for the club to secure a permanent move, as they suffered relegation to the German second-tier.

With Stoke themselves still in the Championship, he would again be loaned out for the 2019/20 campaign, this time to Belgian side Mouscron.

But with the season in Belgium ended prematurely due to the pandemic, Wimmer returned to the Potters, and spent the first-half of the 2020/21 season with the Championship side.

During that time though, he did not add another appearance to his tally for the club, before once again being sent out on loan to German second-tier side Karlsruher in February 2021.

That would all but prove to be an end to Wimmer's association with Stoke, as his contract with the club was terminated by mutual consent in May 2021, freeing him to move to Rapid Wien in Austria.

As a result, the defender's time with the club ended with the Potters having paid £18million for him to make 19 appearances in a season in which they were relegated from the Premier League.

After that, he remained on their books for three more years as the club languished in the Championship, without playing any part in their attempts to win promotion.

Following that he would then depart the club for nothing, denying them the chance to make any sort of return on their investment in him.

Leyton Orient are set to complete a deal to bring Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Josh Keeley to the club on loan.

That’s according to football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold, who claims the Republic of Ireland under-21 international will be making the move to Brisbane Road before tonight’s transfer deadline, after signing a new deal with the Premier League club.

The 21-year-old is yet to play for the Spurs first-team, but has featured regularly for the club’s development squad in Premier League 2, as well as featuring for Barnet in the National League last season.

Richie Wellens has made the move for another goalkeeper to add to his ranks with the O’s, after some questionable performances from Middlesbrough loanee Zach Hemming.

Richie Wellens moves to address Leyton Orient goalkeeping issues

Much was expected of Hemming when he made the move from The Riverside earlier in the summer, but the early signs have been far from promising from the 24-year-old.

A howler on the opening day of the season against Bolton Wanderers handed the visitors all three points to start the campaign, with a number of shaky performances to follow.

The shot-stopper was also at fault for Birmingham City’s opener in the Blues' 2-1 victory over Orient last weekend, with a ball played out from the back being intercepted, before Keshi Anderson found the back of the net.

Wellens was left fuming post-match, with the former Doncaster Rovers boss not holding back in his analysis of his goalkeeper’s performance.

He said: “There is no hiding from it, our goalkeeper [Zach Hemming] has cost us points. We could easily be sitting here with six or seven points, so he needs to look at himself in the mirror and get better but I thought our response was fantastic.

"I thought we were the better team. They have quality, obviously, but for me, we were far better and the second goal was a bit of a killer for us.

"But we should have got something out of the game. I’m disappointed but proud at the same time. You only have to look at what they have and what we’ve got. We need more from our subs. I’ve been disappointed with them so far."

Josh Keeley can provide competition for Leyton Orient number one spot

While Orient already have Hemming, Sam Howes and Noah Phillips as options between the sticks, the decision has reportedly been made to add Keeley as another option for the season ahead.

The competition for the role of number one looks set to hot up over the next few weeks, with Hemming likely to face stiff competition from the Tottenham Hotspur man.

Having joined Barnet in the most-recent January transfer window, the 21-year-old kept three clean sheets in 18 appearances for the Bees, as they lost out in the National League playoffs.

With two further clean sheets for Spurs’ development side this season, the goalkeeper could be a handy pickup for the O’s to strengthen an area of the pitch which has been troublesome so far this season.

Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City are two of the clubs interested in a loan move for Tottenham attacking midfielder Alfie Devine after his proposed move to Birmingham City fell through earlier today.

Alasdair Gold reported via X that both Blackburn and Swansea will face competition from Parma, as well as sides in Germany and from others across the continent to seal a deal for the 20-year-old, with Spurs set to loan him out.

It looked as if Devine was set for a move to League One with Birmingham City, but it was reported by Football Insider earlier today that his proposed move to St Andrew's had fallen through, and that Saudi Premier League team Al-Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard, were keen on a potential swoop.

Transfer interest in Alfie Devine

It was reported by Alasdair Gold that Spurs originally planned to keep Devine at the club, but that changed this month and that has led to plenty of loan interest in the youngster.

With the 20-year-old's deal to join Birmingham City collapsing, it's reported that other clubs have been alerted to his availability, and Championship duo Blackburn and Swansea are interested in a deadline day swoop.

Devine had two loan spells last season, starting the season on loan in League One with Port Vale, before joining Plymouth in the Championship, where he helped keep the Pilgrims in the Championship with his two assists in 15 appearances.

The youngster is highly-rated at Spurs, as seen by Ange Postecoglou planning to keep him at the club initially, and he'll really be looking to kick on this season after getting his first taste of Championship football last season.

However, with reported interest from Italy, Germany and across Europe, it means that Blackburn and Swansea face a battle to sign him, and it's set to be a tense end to the transfer window thanks to the number of clubs interested.

Alfie Devine would be a great addition for either Blackburn or Swansea

Swansea have made no secret about their desire to sign an attacking midfielder, and they have been linked with a move for Brentford's Myles-Peart Harris, but Devine could well be an upgrade on him thanks to his Championship experience.

Meanwhile, John Eustace is set for a busy end to the transfer window and is looking to bolster his squad with a number of exciting young options being lined up according to recent reports, including a move for Fulham's Martial Godo.

It remains to be seen whether Spurs would prefer to keep Devine in the English pyramid or whether they'd want him to experience football abroad, but they certainly aren't short of options, and it's set to be a busy end to the transfer window for the 20-year-old.

Birmingham City’s proposed move for Tottenham Hotspur youngster Alfie Devine has fallen through.

According to Football Insider, talks between the two clubs have ended after they were unable to strike an agreement.

The Blues were looking to sign the midfielder on loan for the rest of the campaign as they set their sights on promotion back to the Championship.

Devine spent the second half of last season on loan with Plymouth Argyle in the second division, contributing two assists from 15 appearances in the league (all stats from Fbref).

It remains to be seen whether Birmingham will turn their attention to other midfield targets, or if this will end their pursuit of improving this area of Chris Davies’ side.

Alfie Devine transfer latest

Birmingham had been in talks to sign Devine from Spurs, but the two clubs have been unable to come to terms on an agreement.

The 20-year-old has yet to feature for Ange Postecoglou’s side this season, failing to even make the matchday squad in either of their two opening league games.

The youngster has struggled for competitive minutes with the Premier League side, making two competitive appearances for the club so far, leading to speculation over a potential loan exit.

It is understood that talks breaking down between Birmingham and Spurs has put other clubs on alert, meaning he could yet still make a move away from the London club before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

It is set to be a busy end to the market for the Blues, with John Percy reporting that a bid of around £9 to 10 million has been submitted for Fulham’s Jay Stansfield.

The League One side have already added a great number of signings this summer following their relegation from the Championship.

A total of 15 additions have been made to Davies’ side, with more potentially to come before 11pm this evening.

Devine deal could be impacted by Stansfield pursuit

Birmingham coming in with such a huge offer for Stansfield shows where their priorities lie this deadline day.

Devine performed well in League One last season while on loan with Port Vale, but he has yet to really impress at a consistent level.

It’s clear that he has a lot of talent, and Davies should know him well enough from his time working at Spurs, but this isn’t a huge blow to their promotion chances.

Given how close it is to the deadline, it’s no surprise that Birmingham have moved on to other targets if they can’t find an agreement with Tottenham.

Burnley have reportedly offered midfielder and club captain Josh Brownhill to Premier League clubs in the dying embered of the transfer window, in what continues to be somewhat of a potential Turf Moor exodus.

You wouldn't call Burnley's transfer window dull by any stretch, and GIVEMESPORT have claimed that another departure could be leaving the Lancashire outfit, with the Clarets hierarchy reportedly offering Brownhill out for a price-tag of £5 million.

Brownhill has been integral to Burnley since he arrived from Bristol City for a fee of £9 million in the January 2020 transfer window.

The midfielder has already started his return to the Championship in style with impressive performances and two goals to his name after three games, but the latest update on his future suggests that Burnley could be looking to sell him, continuing the Clarets' trend this summer of letting first-team players depart.

Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Fulham are said to have been offered the chance to land Brownhill's services, and it remains to be seen if he departs or stays beyond Friday's 11pm deadline.

Josh Brownhill offered to Fulham, Tottenham and Everton amid Trabzonspor bid

It's a departure that certainly won't go down too well with the Burnley faithful, but Brownhill may favour a return to the Premier League following his performances in a disappointing season for the Clarets last time out.

The on-going trend continues for Burnley, as Brownhill's exit could see an extraordinary 13th first-team departure this window.

The Clarets have already rejected a £3.4 million bid for the midfielder, from Turkish outfit Trabzonspor a few days ago, who had a four-year deal on the table for the 28-year-old with increased terms.

After taking on the club captaincy last season, Parker sees Brownhill as a key part of his challenge to get the Clarets back into the top flight, after handing the midfielder captaincy once more this season.

Speaking to the Burnley Express, Parker said: "It was a decision where I probably see Josh and his stature within the squad. Also, a bit of fluidity in terms of where it was last year as well.

"There are probably many captains in this team, or certainly the team that started on Monday night, but it was obviously Josh who got that."

Brownhill had also previously been excited about Parker's ambitions at Turf Moor, praising his tactical style.

In another article from the Burnley Express, Brownhill said: "We’ve seen [his impact] early on. “We’ve obviously worked really hard in pre-season, we’ve learned a lot from him already.

"As I say, there are different tactics and against Luton it was a different setup. But I think from game to game it will be different and that’s what he’s really good at."

Potential Josh Brownhill exit would hit Burnley and Scott Parker hard

Now into his sixth season, Brownhill has performed consistently over the years, and his potential exit would be major to Parker's men.

Although Burnley have improved their squad various signings despite all the sales that have happened, the exit of Brownhill would be difficult to take at this stage of the window, and chairman Alan Pace will have a lot of work to do to find the right replacement.

With the deadline nearing its end, it's a massive risk from the Clarets to even consider the departure of such a fan favourite, who is reliable especially at Championship level.

However, with less than a year left on his contract, the hierarchy at Burnley may see it as time for them to cash in and could benefit Brownhill in the long run due to his own ambitions.

Whatever happens, it's set to be a cagey last few days of the window at Turf Moor.

Manor Solomon of Tottenham Hotspur is a reported target for Leeds United as they try to replace Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, but contrasting reports have emerged regarding the current likelihood of the transfer.

The departure of the aforementioned Leeds attacking pairing may have netted the club close to £65 million, but it also left them with plenty to do to find their replacements before the transfer window closes on Friday.

Leeds are looking to the Premier League for their next potential move, with the The Yorkshire Evening Post first revealing that Leeds have identified Solomon as a player that the Whites are said to be considering at this point in the window.

The Israeli international suffered with a meniscus issue for much of last term, restricting him to only six appearances in all competitions for Spurs.

With that, it's no surprise that he could leave Ange Postecoglou's team in the coming days in search of regular first-team football to get back up to speed.

Leeds United facing reported issues in pursuit of Tottenham winger Manor Solomon

Journalist Shay Lugassi is now reporting that the move for Solomon to move to Leeds may be in doubt.

He states that Solomon has completed the required medical tests, but there are quite significant financial differences between the clubs to iron out if a deal is going to be signed off on.

However, talks are continuing between the parties, but the player's camp is not ruling out alternative options before the window slams shut later this week, meaning it is not certain that he will move to Elland Road.

The attacking midfielder, who tends to play out wide on the left wing, suffered a season-ending knee injury last September, but he was involved with Spurs during pre-season, and has been an unused substitute so far this season.

Solomon has already snubbed a move to La Liga outfit Getafe, according to Fabrizio Romano.

However, it has been reported that his preference, if he is to move, is to stay in England. That's according to the The Yorkshire Evening Post, and Elland Road could present that opportunity for him.

According to other reports from The Yorkshire Evening Post, the player was set to undergo a medical over the weekend ahead of his season-long switch from the English capital.

Despite the latest claims from Lugasi, Graham Smyth is reporting that the deal is on track. He wrote that although the deal is taking longer than others have to complete, club sources insist it remains possible and ongoing.

Manor Solomon deal breaking down may not be the end of the world for Leeds United

The Whites have been linked with a number of wingers in recent times and they have already landed one in the last week, with Largie Ramazani officially joining from UD Almeria in Spain.

Coming in for an eight-figure fee, fans can expect him to be heavily involved this term, along with the likes of Willy Gnonto and Dan James. However, two of those prefer the left flank, which is the same for Solomon.

He has mainly operated as a winger during his career on the left, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him play out wide at Elland Road, which could mean a restructuring of the attacking line-up, with perhaps Gnonto coming centrally.

In profile terms, it may have made more sense for Leeds to look at securing a natural central playmaker to replace Rutter, as opposed to moving so many players around to accommodate another left-sided winger, which is why if this deal does not go through, it would not be the end of the world.

The other issue is fitness, and that's where some hesitancy may come into the thinking on this one, but Solomon is definitely above the quality required to be a Championship footballer in terms of pure ability.

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Middlesbrough should not cash in on midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer amid reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

After progressing through the Boro academy, Hackney has become an integral part of the first team since making his breakthrough in the 2022-23 season, with the highlight of his time at the club coming when he scored the winner in the 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in January.

The 22-year-old's impressive performances at club level earned him a first call-up to the England Under-21 squad last September, and it seems that he is attracting attention from elsewhere, with TBR Football's Graeme Bailey claiming that scouts from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur have been present to watch him in action in the first two games of the season.

It remains to be seen whether Spurs will make a bid for Hackney, but Boro will be reluctant to lose him, and head of football Kieran Scott has previously stated that the club will take a firm stance when it comes to selling players this summer.

"It's vital (keeping players). I don't mind saying that. I can't control what other clubs may do or may not do but, from our position, we don't want to lose anyone," Scott told Teesside Live in June.

"The only chance we're going to have of going up this season is keeping our best players. I speak to Steve [Gibson] regularly and he's as strong and fiery on this as I've ever heard him in terms of us keeping our players here.

Palmer: Middlesbrough must not sell Hayden Hackney

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that despite strengthening their midfield with the signing of Aidan Morris, Boro should not cash in on Hackney this summer unless they receive a sizeable offer.

"Tottenham have been in the stands for Middlesbrough's opening two games running the rule over Hayden Hackney," Palmer said.

"There's a lot of interest in Hackney.

"He's playing regularly for Middlesbrough, and it would be a huge blow to their chances of getting in the play-offs this season or better if they were to lose him.

"But we know how it works, they're in that position where they have to sell players to bring in money.

"Maybe a deal will be done for Hackney and he could return to the club on loan for the rest of the season because it's highly unlikely that he would move to Spurs and be playing regular football.

"Under Postecoglou, it looks like Spurs are going down a different route, they've already signed Archie Gray from Leeds United, who has got a hell of a future in front of him, so it looks like they're going for young players to build the club for the future, which I think is the right route.

"But Michael Carrick will be very, very disappointed to lose Hackney, who has already got five England Under-21 caps, he will want the window to shut and still have him at the club.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, if they lose him, Middlesbrough's chances of doing well this season will sadly diminish, but we'll have to wait and see if a big offer comes in.

"I believe that Middlesbrough should hold onto him, I know they have signed Aidan Morris, but they should still hang on to him, unless they get a really ridiculous offer.

"Sometimes you can't hold a player back when an opportunity comes for him to go and play at the highest level, you just can't do that, you've got to give the kid the opportunity.

"But like I said, they would have to come with a massive offer, I think they would want around £20m with a very big sell-on fee for him.

"We'll have to wait and see where this eventually ends up, but I think Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick should keep hold of him for at least one more season.

"If they don't get promoted, I think it will be highly likely that he will be moving on."

Aidan Morris arrival should not change Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney stance

It is difficult to disagree with Palmer that Boro should hold onto Hackney this summer.

While they have signed Morris, Jonny Howson has been injured in the early weeks of the season, and Dan Barlaser has fallen out of favour in recent months, so Michael Carrick's central midfield options would be stretched if he was to depart.

Scott has made it clear that Boro are determined to retain their key players this summer in order to mount a promotion push, and they are unlikely to change their stance on Hackney at this late stage of the transfer window, with little time left to find a replacement if he was to depart.

It has been a strong summer for Boro, and they must do everything possible to ensure that Hackney remains at the Riverside Stadium beyond next week's deadline.

Key Takeaways

Leeds United are close to securing a loan deal for Manor Solomon.

The player is set to undergo a medical this weekend.

It has been reported that Daniel Farke's side will pay a decent portion of his wages.

Leeds United are closing in on the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur wide player Manor Solomon.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the player is set to undergo a medical this weekend ahead of his season-long switch from the English capital.

Solomon only made six appearances for Spurs in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign, registering two assists but failing to get himself on the scoresheet in any of these games.

And with the wide player failing to win much game time last term, it seemed likely that the Israel international was going to seal an exit from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during this window.

He looks set for a move to Leeds, who are in need of more options in two areas he can play in.

Not only can he operate as a winger, but he can also play as a central attacking midfielder.

Largie Ramazani may have arrived in a £10.2m deal from Almeria, but another wide player will probably be required before the window closes, with both Jaidon Anthony and Crysencio Summerville leaving the club since the end of last term.

Summerville was a real game-changer for the Whites last term and was a big reason behind their top-three finish, so a sufficient amount of quality will need to come in to replace him.

And in the central attacking midfield role, Georginio Rutter has left Elland Road.

This is a real blow for Leeds, considering the impact he made in West Yorkshire during the 2023/24 campaign.

Daniel Farke's side wouldn't have wanted to lose the Frenchman, but an exit clause in his contract meant the Whites were powerless to stop him from making the move to Brighton.

Leeds United closing in on Manor Solomon signing

The Whites are closing in on a loan deal to sign Solomon, with the player expected to undergo a medical this weekend.

The Yorkshire Evening Post have also reported that the Championship side will pay a sizeable portion of the player's wages if he makes the loan move to Elland Road, with the club potentially able to spend a decent amount on salaries after the salaries of some key men.

This move comes after the Israeli was deemed surplus to requirements by Spurs, who didn't use him much last season.

Fabrizio Romano recently reported that the player had turned down a move to Getafe because he wanted to stay in England - and he looks set to have his wish granted.

Leeds United could benefit from Manor Solomon addition

Solomon has mainly played as a winger during his career and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him play out wide at Elland Road.

However, he faces stiff competition for a starting spot.

Dan James scored last night and Willy Gnonto has already made an impact this season.

Ramazani could also be a real asset - and all of this competition for a wing spot, with Solomon also joining, could help to raise standards at Elland Road.

With this in mind, as well as the fact Solomon can play centrally, the 25-year-old could be a decent addition.