
Leeds United's Summer Fire Sale: Dan James and Willy Gnonto on Chopping Block as Five More Get the Boot
Leeds United are gearing up for a major squad overhaul this summer amid their Premier League survival fight, with pundit Alan Smith tipping Dan James and Willy Gnonto for the exit door. TEAMtalk confirms five others – Facundo Buonanotte, Joel Piroe, Isaac Schmidt, Max Wober, and Joe Gelhardt – are almost certainly leaving. The club is also scouting fresh talent from Bodo/Glimt and Millwall while weighing options for loanees like Mateo Joseph.
Leeds United's Summer Fire Sale: Dan James and Willy Gnonto on Chopping Block as Five More Get the Boot
Picture this: you're nursing a pint, Leeds are teetering on the edge of the Premier League trapdoor, and the lads at Elland Road are already packing suitcases for half the squad. With survival still in their own hands – thanks to a cosy run of home games against Brentford, Wolves, Burnley, and Brighton – the Whites are plotting a massive overhaul. Sunday's scrap with Crystal Palace could be the spark they need for a first win in four league outings.
But forget the panic for a sec. Boss Daniel Farke and co. are eyeing a squad reset, binning fringe players who don't fit the 3-5-2 blueprint. It's like clearing out your garage – some gems might stay, but the rusty tools? They're off to the tip.
Pundit Points the Finger: James and Gnonto for the Off?
Sky Sports' Alan Smith, dropping truth bombs on co-commentary, has Dan James and Willy Gnonto in his sights. The speedy wing duo? Smith reckons they're not quite Premier League calibre, better suited to the Championship grind. "The wing-back system hasn't helped, and when they've got chances, they've flopped," he quipped.
Fair play, they've dazzled at times, but consistency's been missing. Farke still rates them, mind – no final calls yet. Still, whispers suggest Elland Road might not be their forever home come summer.
Insider Exits: Five Names Almost Certain to Wave Goodbye
As reported by James Marshment at TEAMtalk, the real action's with a confirmed quintet heading for the exit. Top of the list: Facundo Buonanotte. The Argentine teen, nabbed on loan from Brighton in January after ditching Chelsea, has barely kicked a ball – just 69 minutes and an unused bench warmer in the FA Cup romp over Norwich. No permanent move; he's Brighton-bound.
Then there's Joel Piroe, the Dutch deadeye. Leeds toyed with cashing in last window but held firm. Now? If they stay up, expect bids to roll in – he's too lethal to bench. Drop to the Championship? He might stick around for the goals.
No ifs for the loan exiles: Isaac Schmidt, thriving at Hull City (they want him permanent after his Tigers hot streak), Max Wober, and Joe Gelhardt are all surplus. Gelhardt's youth promise hasn't translated; time for fresh pastures.
Youth Decisions and Incoming Scouting Buzz
Mateo Joseph, the Spain U21 striker on loan, gets a season-end review. Meanwhile, teen hitman Harry Gray impressed at Rotherham but faces another loan spell – Championship clubs preferred if Leeds hold top-flight.
Looking forward, Leeds aren't just shipping out; they're window-shopping. Scouts hit Norway midweek, eyeing a zippy Bodo/Glimt attacking pair. A Millwall winger's on radars too, though a Prem rival leads that chase. And Anton Stach? Talks for a better deal are bubbling, but 49ers Enterprises have bigger fish to fry with a teammate.
Relegation rumble or survival party, Leeds' summer's shaping up lively. Fancy a rebuild pint? Cheers to the chaos – it's what we love about the Whites.