Leeds United centre-back Pascal Struijk could be on the move this summer as his contract runs down. And, a left-footed replacement may be required.
United’s transfer activity can officially get underway from today as the window opened for the summer. However, it’s worth noting that Leeds are expected once again to be slow burners, as has been typical under the 49ers.
Already, though, there are items on the agenda with incomings and outgoings. At centre-back Pascal Struijk’s situation is incredibly uncertain.
Leeds United weigh up Pascal Struijk sale as contract runs into final 12 months
Paraag Marathe’s open letter to Leeds supporters was clear in how the club intend to approach this summer window.
Last summer’s successes mean there should be cause for huge optimism once again. However, Marathe caveats his letter by insisting that to maximise the club’s incoming transfer budget, some sales will have to be pushed through as well, be that fringe players, or the odd significant first team outgoing.
Of the latter category, Struijk appears one of the more likely key players that could leave. The reason being that his Elland Road contract is approaching the final 12 months. And, Leeds can ill-afford to let a high-value asset leave for free in 2027.
So, Leeds either need to ensure Struijk puts pen to paper on a new deal, or find a suitable offer to cash in while his stock is high.
Offers won’t be in short supply either. As a left-footed Premier League centre-back at the peak of his powers, Struijk could be a valuable commodity for a lot of top flight clubs this summer.
Leeds United identify Ladislav Krejci as Pascal Struijk replacement option – The Athletic
The Athletic have relayed this unsurprising update that Struijk could be on his way out of West Yorkshire this summer. Also, they share that Leeds have identified at least one possible solution.
Wolves centre-back Ladislav Krejci was already reported as a target of United’s ahead of the summer, and this report reiterates our interest.
Krejci, 27, was relegated at Molineux but demonstrated enough quality to catch Leeds’ eye, while now featuring in the World Cup too.
Captaining Czechia, Krejci got his side off the mark with a thumping header against South Korea. But, his side ended up on the losing end of a 2-1 scoreline, facing an uphill battle to qualify from the group with South Africa up next.
Leeds United may need to sell Pascal Struijk to improve transfer spending power
If there decision were left up to me, I’d have already tied down Struijk to a new contract. It’s obviously not as straightforward as that, of course.
Struijk may think he’s served his purpose at Leeds and fancy a new challenge – I would not be shocked if clubs in European competition offered him a route out of LS11.
A ball-playing left-footer that’s so strong in the air is going to have several offers this summer. Leeds might have to accept one of them in order to strengthen our spending power in June, July and August.
Krejci would be a viable alternative, but he does change the make-up of our squad. We’d be losing Struijk’s prowess in buildup, but we would be adding goal threat and much more athleticism in Krejci.
Food for thought, certainly.
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