Leeds United: Pascal Struijk has already hinted at exit as Tottenham and Newcastle line up swoop
Leeds United could be set to lose defender Pascal Struijk this summer, even if they stay in the Premier League.
The centre-back is already attracting interest from elsewhere in the division, with Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa all keen to try and sign him this summer, according to TeamTalk.
The Whites are understood to be keen to keep hold of the Dutchman for as long as possible, but the situation is not set to be easy for them, given that he is entering the final year of his contract this summer.
Struijk has been a key figure for Daniel Farke this season, as he has already been called upon to start 27 games in the Premier League, but he could now be entering his final months at Elland Road.
Leeds’ transfer plans are set to see them try and build on their current group, but Struijk may already have had his head turned elsewhere.
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VISIT THE LEEDS TRANSFER HUBPascal Struijk to take same transfer stance as last summer
Struijk was heavily linked with a move away from Leeds in last summer’s transfer window, with a move to Feneyoord to play Europa League football seemingly on the cards at one stage.
Nothing came to fruition, but Struijk wasted no time in making it clear that he was happy to take up the chance to leave Leeds, but an agreement couldn’t be reached.
| Stats | Struijk Total |
| Apps (Starts) | 28 (27) |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.11 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 1 |
| Duels Won % | 55.6% |
| Aerial Duels Won % | 55.6% |
| Dribbled Past per 90 | 0.48 |
“I had some options to leave, but that didn’t happen,” he said during an interview with ESPN in the Netherlands back in January.
“This has had to do with several parties. From my side, there was something I would have liked to do.”
That is a clear indication from Struijk himself that he was ready to turn his back on Leeds, and there was further evidence of this when he spoke about Raphinha’s move to Barcelona in the same interview.
He labelled that transfer as the career path that “everyone dreams of,” and added that it was something that he “looked forward to” in future.
Given that he looks set to have the option to potentially move to get European football with Aston Villa next term, or join an elite club in Spurs, it would be a huge surprise if he doesn’t take the same stance again this time around.
Leeds should take Struijk’s previous comments as a hint that he could push for an exit this summer, especially given his contract situation.
Leeds could lose Joe Rodon as well
Ex-Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Leeds could also lose Joe Rodon this summer, with clubs elsewhere in the Premier League taking an interest in him.
The former recruitment chief noted that the Welshman’s spirited displays for the West Yorkshire outfit this season will have seen him emerge on the radar of other clubs, and that looks set to create another problem for Farke and Co.
Brown insisted that Leeds are confident of keeping hold of Rodon if they avoid relegation at the end of the season, but it could be a totally different story if they go down.
Jaka Bijol has also been linked with a potential move to Liverpool in recent weeks, meaning that there is uncertainty surrounding all three of the Whites’ leading centre-backs.
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