Leeds United Q and A - Mohamed Camara and Charles De Ketelaere transfers, ownership and contracts

Leeds United face a hectic few weeks as the transfer window, pre-season and new contracts demand attention.
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The Whites are anticipating finalising a new deal for Joe Gelhardt this week, at the very least, and Darko Gyabi will officially become a Leeds player as Kalvin Phillips joins Manchester City. Raphinha's ongoing transfer saga will pull focus and Jesse Marsch will take his men to Australia.

There could be incoming transfer business if Raphinha gets his move during the week, with Victor Orta poised to pull the trigger on replacements for the winger and Phillips, as well as a centre forward.

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Tyler Roberts will likely head out on loan, as well as Jamie Shackleton and one or two others.

TRANSFER TARGET - Charles De Ketelaere of Brugge is a player Leeds United would like to sign, but they face competition from AC Milan and Leicester City. Pic: GettyTRANSFER TARGET - Charles De Ketelaere of Brugge is a player Leeds United would like to sign, but they face competition from AC Milan and Leicester City. Pic: Getty
TRANSFER TARGET - Charles De Ketelaere of Brugge is a player Leeds United would like to sign, but they face competition from AC Milan and Leicester City. Pic: Getty

And Marsch's international players are to return for pre-season testing at Leeds Beckett University's Carnegie School of Sport on Monday. Liam Cooper will report back and be joined by new faces Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson as the Whites' preparations for the new season hit full stride.

READ: Orta lining up targets as he makes journalist quip about RaphinhaAmid the madness, we asked for your questions and you delivered hundreds. Here are 29 of them.

Leeds United transfer window Q and A

Key Events

  • Transfers, transfers, transfers
  • Young prospects breaking through
  • The ownership

@DannyWright82: As a football writer, what’s the most exciting story you have been involved in?

Leeds United ending a 16-year exile from the Premier League was quite a big story. It had it all - history, incredible characters in Marcelo Bielsa and his players, celebrations that will be remembered forever, some unbelievable football and memorable matches and, sadly, the drama and trauma of Covid-19’s intervention. It was beautiful.

@GraemeDixon8: Would you rather fight one Victor Orta sized duck or 10 duck sized Victor Orta's?

I’m a man of peace. But given Orta took up kickboxing last year, and that crazed look in his eye from time to time, we’ll go with the big duck. Potential dinner.

@lufcrumham: I noticed in your article today that you said if we sell Raphinha then we’ll pull the trigger on three targets. Does that mean they’re all willing to come?

Leeds believe they have deals in position and ready to go for the three vacancies. Whether they can get all three of Orta’s top targets for each position remains to be seen but there are several irons in the fire and the Whites seem very happy with the potential recruitment.

@witneywhite: What’s the deal with a back-up keeper? Casilla back but surely won’t be involved and talk of experienced cover coming in?

It’s been clear for some time that Kiko Casilla was never likely to play for Leeds United again. I don’t expect him to and a settlement seems highly likely unless another loan move can be found. An experienced back-up keeper would be ideal and has looked necessary for some time. Right now Leeds’ focus is on a centre forward, a winger and a defensive midfielder. After that we might see movement on the goalkeeping front.

@GriffMorgan_: Do you think there’s a possible scenario where Barca don’t stump up the cash for Raphinha, and he refuses Chelsea and Arsenal, so he actually ends up staying at Leeds for six months or a year?

Leeds have always been adamant that if no one put up the right money then Raphinha would be on the plane to Australia and staying put. If we get to that point then it will be fascinating but it’s difficult to see. Chelsea feel confident they can get him, even if Barcelona are his obvious preference. Barcelona have emerged from their slumber and started to talk to Leeds in a serious way. It surely gets resolved before we get to a point where Raphinha is checking in for a flight to the Gold Coast. Deco will be central to it and if he wants his client to get a big move, he’s got a timeframe in which to make it happen.

@EarnshawDan: How are things coming along for renewing player contracts? You had an article about Joffy, who else can we expect? I saw that in 2024 a big bulk of the first teams contracts are set to expire.

Joe Gelhardt will get his deal this week, there might be more on that front too. Crysencio Summerville is one you would think will be in talks, with his deal up next summer, and Sam Greenwood too. Summerville is due to stay put this season and be a real part of Jesse Marsch’s plans and the manager evidently rates Greenwood highly. Those two would be high up the list.

@muhammedddd0: Graham please tell me if pineapple belongs on pizza or not.

It doesn’t belong on any pizza I’ll be eating but if that’s your thing crack on.

@Iucasck: What’s the best and worst part about being a football journalist?

Football matches are the best part. The summer transfer window is the worst part.

@jamminbenj: What’s going on with the ownership at the club, and why does it appear neither party is willing to invest serious amounts of their own capital? Our business appears to be self financing, which in principle I’m fine with, but worry that such a delicate 56/44 split, with an added pre-agreed price for the minority to become majority, has created an impasse at the top of the club regarding serious investment.

No one is talking about takeovers or ownership right now, which is a little surprising given that many would have expected some movement this summer. Perhaps, had Leeds been safe with months of the season remaining, then things may have progressed thanks to a clear picture. Being in the dogfight to the last day could have delayed the 49ers’ plans, perhaps. Or maybe, right now, everyone is happy to continue for now as they are. It’s a very legitimate question to ask if the share split and potential for a takeover creates a situation where neither party want to throw enormous amounts of cash at the project. Why would an incoming owner do that before they have full control? Why would an existing owner shell out huge sums on a project he’s about to sell? But at present, with £50m spent before anyone was sold, it doesn’t appear to be harming Leeds United on the recruitment front. Even if it takes the sale of two big players, Leeds appear confident that they will get the players they need this summer. If you spend circa £100m in any given summer, improve the squad and keep the club running on a sensible financial footing, does it matter where the transfer kitty comes from? Eventually, though, someone will blink and there will be movement. The 49ers didn’t buy all those shares just to be a part of someone else’s plan.

@SanderAmundsen: Genuinely gutted you did not answer this in your last Q and A. What are your top three albums of all time?

Sorry Sander. Deftones - White Pony. Rage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles. Prodigy - Fat of the Land.

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