Leeds United face a battle to retain one of their leading first-team players as Tottenham lead several Premier League clubs in the battle for his signature.
Daniel Farke prioritised strengthening the Leeds United back line ahead of the new Premier League season, as they look to hold on to their top-flight status.
Dutch defender Pascal Struijk has been one of the stars at the back for Leeds following their Premier League return, forming an impressive partnership with Joe Rodon at the heart of the Whites’ defence.
Struijk’s form has been so outstanding that new signing Jaka Bijol has been frozen out of the Leeds side, and forced to wait for his league debut.
However, Leeds United News can exclusively reveal that Leeds face a fight to keep the Dutchman, as their Premier League rivals circle for his signature.
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesLeeds United face a battle to retain Pascal Struijk
Having joined Leeds for a low fee in 2018, Struijk was linked with a move away from Elland Road in the summer transfer window, as the Whites looked to balance the books.
However, having remained with the club and enjoyed a strong start to the new season, Struijk is a man in demand, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey. With Struijk yet to agree a new deal at Leeds, Bailey believes he will have no shortage of interest from potential suitors as his contract runs down.
Bailey said: “Obviously, he’s started the season very well, and he’s a good age. Well, he’s a very good Premier League player and you know Spurs are one interested but they’re not the only ones.
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“There are a few clubs that are interested. Obviously, being left-footed does come with its own advantages. There’s a handful of teams in the Premier League aware that he hasn’t signed that new deal yet. So it’s going to be interesting.
“Tottenham, if we talk about them, they have a very healthy budget. There’s going to be a lot of teams. What happens if Everton lose Branthwaite? What happens if Forest lose Murillo?”
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesLeeds should be looking to build a defence around the cultured defender
Struijk struggled in Leeds’ last spell in the Premier League, after being shifted around the squad, featuring at left-back, centre-back and defensive midfield.
However, he has arguably benefitted most from Leeds’ spell in the Championship, returning to the top flight as a cultured defender, and looking assured next to the more dominant presence of Joe Rodon.
Although Farke will be tempted to throw Bijol in at some stage in the season, after investing a decent chunk of his transfer budget on the defender, Struijk’s performances mean the Slovenian’s path into the Leeds defence is currently blocked.
The fatal flaw of the Profit and Sustainability rules is that Leeds are incentivised to cash in on a player like Struijk.
Leeds should be building their defence around Struijk for the next 10 years. Sadly, the system means there is little room for this kind of loyalty anymore.