Since the beginning of the transfer window, Leeds United have not confirmed a permanent sale and instead, four players have left Elland Road on loan for the 2025-26 season.
Rasmus Kristensen counts as a 2025-26 sale, with his permanent move to Frankfurt counted on the books for this season rather than last. But other than that, Leeds have not received a penny for any of their stars.
Fans are growing frustrated when they compare the amount of signings made compared to Sunderland and Burnley, and money spent. But Sunderland and Burnley have both agreed to sell some of their best.
Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson left Sunderland, while James Trafford has returned to Manchester City. It has limited Leeds’ spending to £80m, but this week, Leeds have finally sold a player permanently.
Photo by Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesDiogo Monteiro confirms Leeds exit as he joins top-tier side
There was plenty of hype surrounding Portuguese talent Diogo Monteiro, when the youngster joined Leeds from Swiss side Servette in January 2023, signed alongside Weston McKennie and Georginio Rutter.
But two and a half years later, 20-year-old Monteiro leaves Leeds without ever making a single senior appearance. A regular with Leeds U21’s and captaining Portugal at U20, Monteiro has now left the club.
The first permanent sale of the summer, Monteiro has returned to his home country with top-flight side Arouca. Despite never making his Leeds debut, Monteiro sent a touching message to Leeds supporters.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
He said: “Leeds fans. I write you this message with great pride and thank you for everything. It’s been 2 and a half year since I arrived on 31 January and my dream was to become a Premier League player.
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“You have welcomed me like a son. It wasn’t easy coming to a new country with a new culture and a new language. But I’ve loved my three years here. The last thing I’d like to say is a BIG THANK YOU,” he said.
Junior Firpo and Mateo Joseph react to exit, who else could leave
Prior to the reports that Monteiro had returned to Portugal, it was claimed that Leeds are in talks with an unnamed Championship club to sell Sam Greenwood. Leeds want between £3m and £4m for the attacker.
After two years on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough and Preston, Greenwood was always set to leave, especially with his contract expiring next summer. There are others that could also be sold.
Illan Meslier is now third choice or worse, Brenden Aaronson wants game time to cement his USA squad, Jack Harrison’s future is always under a cloud of doubt and Isaac Schmidt is set for a move to Werder.
Patrick Bamford remains an outcast and Darko Gyabi is also set to go. Leeds have even identified the possible sales of Pascal Struijk and Willy Gnonto in case the club needs a PSR boost. Plenty are set to go.