Leeds exploit agent contact to agree 'brilliant' signing
Leeds United deserve huge plaudits for their £8.5million deal to sign centre-back Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Bundesliga club have “screwed up” by allowing the 29-year-old to depart.
Leeds confirmed Elvedi’s signing on a three-year contract earlier this week, having secured his signature ahead of his contract at Monchengladbach expiring in June 2027.
Wyness believes that it was a “no-brainer” to sign the Switzerland international at that price, and feels that the Whites acted upon contact from the player’s agent.
Elvedi boasts over 300 Bundesliga appearances to his name, and is also vastly experienced at international level.
Throw in the fact that he has also had a taste of Champions League football earlier in his career, and Wyness believes it is the type of signing that could potentially move the needle for Leeds.
Daniel Farke hailed for Nico Elvedi swoop
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Daniel Farke will have played a big role in helping to tempt Elvedi to move to Elland Road.
The 49-year-old previously coached the defender during his stint in charge of Monchengladbach during the 2022-23 campaign.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness outlined why the move for Elvedi should be seen as a huge bargain for Leeds.
“I think it's brilliant for Leeds that they've done this. Monchengladbach have really screwed up in terms of the way they've handled his contract situation,” he said.
“We've talked about this before, how clubs don't get it right sometimes and let players get into a strong position. And I think he obviously wanted to come to the Premier League.
“I think Farke has done very well, and at that price, it’s a no-brainer. Obviously, they were made aware by his agent as to what's been going on with the strong position they had.
“So yes, I applaud Leeds here. It looks like they're going to be alright at the back now in terms of that sort of signing, and I think he'll do well in the Premier League.”
Rafael Leao offered to Leeds
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Leeds have been offered the chance to sign AC Milan forward Rafael Leao in the closing stages of the transfer window.
The Whites’ interest has gone no further than that initial approach from Milan at this stage, but the ex-recruitment boss is adamant that a move to Elland Road shouldn’t be ruled out.
However, Brown also acknowledged that it would be an “ambitious” deal for the West Yorkshire outfit to strike, with Leao’s lofty wages likely to pose an issue.
Milan are looking to offload the Portugal international as soon as possible, and are testing the waters with several clubs across Europe at the moment.