Leeds United signed Gabriel Gudmundsson as the club’s specialist left-back in the summer, but he was not the only option they considered.
The club had one major problem this summer, even if numerous areas needed additions. Leeds United did not have a left-footed full-back. A specialist was needed and Leeds replacing Junior Firpo was a crucial task for Daniel Farke this summer.
Gabriel Gudmundsson arrived in a £10.3 million transfer from Lille, signing a four-year contract with the club. But it was not guaranteed to be the Swede. Now a West Ham United full-back, El Hadji Malick Diouf was also on Leeds’ shortlist.
Leeds United News also revealed Nathaniel Brown was an option. The German international plies his trade with Eintracht Frankfurt alongside Robin Koch and Rasmus Kristensen. The 22-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to 2025/26, too.
Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty ImagesNathaniel Brown’s latest Eintracht Frankfurt price tag
LUN‘s information late into the deal regarding Gudmundsson was that Lukas Ullrich, Brown, and Quentin Merlin were also considered by Leeds.
In the end, they were a trio of many linked left-backs with Leeds to replace Firpo. But Leeds whittled things down and it was reported Brown and Gudmundsson both made Leeds’ final shortlist.
He is almost certainly way out of Leeds’ reach now, even if they are delighted with the start Gudmundsson has made to adapting to life as a Premier League player. The German international now has a huge price tag on his head.
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has the latest on Brown’s situation. He explains that Frankfurt already expect top offers for Brown in the summer.
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🚨🦅 EXCL | Eintracht Frankfurt already expect top offers for Nathaniel #Brown in the summer. Understand #SGE are demanding up to €60 million for a summer move.
He is under contract until 2030 with no release clause. The 22 y/o left-back has had an excellent season and is a new… pic.twitter.com/fcbEC3oKsj
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) October 13, 2025
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His understanding is that they are set to demand up to €60 million (£52 million) for a summer move. He is under contract until 2030 with no release clause. He adds that the 22 year-old has had an excellent season and is a new German international.
It now makes more sense that there were reports Arsenal and Man City considered Brown over the summer. If Leeds have long-term interest, they have missed a golden chance to seal a move for far cheaper in the summer.
That said, they will be more than content with Gudmundsson and the 26-year-old could make that position his own for many years to come at Elland Road.
Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Getty ImagesNathaniel Brown’s career stats
Leeds may well have missed the boat with regards to Brown now being considered a player they can go for anytime soon, with European football almost certainly needed now.
However, he is an attacking left-back or wing-back, with a more conservative or two-way player required for a team aiming to survive relegation.
Brown is one of the most exciting players in his position in the world, though, and Leeds can expect to face up against him if interest remains around Europe’s top clubs.