Leeds United latest on Charles De Ketelaere and Mohamed Camara transfers, contracts and ownership

I had half a thought that Rodrigo might go this summer, back to Spain to enjoy his football again, but thus far there have been no noises around a departure. The key to Rodrigo is perhaps to stop viewing him as a £27m main man and simply see him as an option. He’s a clever footballer, he has vision and ability and yet we’ve never discovered if he’s a nine or a 10. Neither has particularly suited at Leeds. Maybe, in a two, alongside Patrick Bamford or the incoming striker, he can re-write his Leeds United history. You’re right though, he does seem like a good guy and it would be nice for all concerned if his time at Elland Road could become a happier one before it comes to an end.

Leif Davis has been training and training well, we’re told. He’s likely to be on the flight to Australia as it stands. A new contract is to be earned, of course, and if he can impress in games as he does on the training ground then there’s a chance.

There was interest in Jack Harrison and a conversation or two but as far as we’re aware no concrete bids. These things sometimes come down to semantics. One man’s bid is another man’s enquiry. Every player has a price, of course, but Leeds are more than happy to keep Harrison for next season.

I wouldn’t say Leeds are looking to move Illan Meslier on but he’s the one in the squad that you would think will be capable of going on to the next level and playing European football. Pascal Struijk didn’t have a great season (who did?) but he still, to me, has huge potential. And Joe Gelhardt, as you mentioned, is a serious talent who could go very, very far. What Leeds don’t want is a scenario where multiple players are lost at once. Selling two, as they are, is just about manageable but the situation with any squad has to be very delicately balanced.

Victor Orta is in charge of all recruitment but for the younger element, Craig Dean heads up Leeds’ work. He’s the head of emerging talent so he was instrumental in bringing Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood to the club, for example. It’s been a frustrating summer for Dean with clubs quoting figures that Leeds felt were over-inflated, so they haven’t yet strengthened in the way he would have wanted. There may yet be movement in terms of Under 21s signings but not at a scale Leeds were initially expecting, it seems.

The Jamaica Inn holds a lot of nostalgia. It wasn’t so hot on ID’ing folk at the turn of the millenium...

Finalising paperwork, at a guess, or simply following the convention of announcing on a Monday rather than on a weekend, but he had his medical and passed it. Everything is agreed and Darko Gyabi will become a Leeds United player. Likely to be Monday at this rate.

Crysencio Summerville is a safe bet. He looks like a seriously talented young man and if he keeps his head down he’ll surely get chances. An outside bet, given his age, is Archie Gray. Another incredible prospect. He was due to be involved in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Stoke City today. It will be interesting to see how much involvement he has in the public friendlies. His time will come, though, there’s no need to rush him.

Had they gone down there would surely have been some consideration given to his position, because the football wasn’t great and the situation might have damaged his standing with the fans in a big way. It has to be said that he took a huge risk in coming to Leeds when he did, inherited an incredibly difficult situation and a threadbare squad riddled with injuries and stress. Once they stayed up there was no question whatsoever. In the days leading up to the final game no one was talking about a change, everyone at Leeds focused on the job at hand. Victor Orta ralled all the Elland Road staff, too, showing them the video that is sent to potential signings that highlights the club’s culture and significance. Everyone pulled in the one direction and, thankfully, they got the result.

He needs it. He needs football. Lots of football. It could be terrific for him if he picks the right club and manager.