Leeds United are in the search to finish their 16-year exile from the Premier League, with Marcelo Bielsa’s men looking to put behind their shortcomings from last season. United were in the driving seat for promotion with four matches to go last term but didn’t win any of their remaining games. After crumbling against Derby County at the semi-final stage last season, United fans will be hoping their side can maintain their place to secure promotion into the Premier League. What happens in the summer for United depends on whether the team wind up in the second tier for an 11th consecutive season, or manage to make it to the ‘promised land’ of the Premier League. Those that like a bet placement on Skype are confident Leeds will make it this time. Here we have a look at two potential transfer scenarios we could see play out in Elland Road this summer, which might affect your sports betting strategy.
Loans become permanent
According to Phil Hay of The Athletic, the Whites are preparing to make the permanent signings of Jean-Kevin Augustin, Illan Meslier, and Jack Harrison. The trio, who are on loan at Elland Road all have clauses in their contracts through which Leeds can activate the right to make these deals permanent, with Phil Hay reporting that the team and Marcelo Bielsa are keen to get these deals tied up pretty quickly. United could spend £45M in the summer with the deals for Jean-Kevin Augustin, Jack Harrison and Illan Meslier potentially costing £17M, £8M, and £5M respectively. Augustin’s transfer will become permanent if United win promotion, and the club is already committed to permanently signing Helder Costa come the summertime, for a fee of around £15M. Leeds have plans for these players and a number of the loans could become permanent fixtures at Elland Road in the summertime.
A possible goodbye for a cult-hero
Swiss Gaetano Berardi joined the Whites back in 2014 and at times split the United fanbase’s opinion. Sometimes bad-tempered, and susceptible to a card, it is still hard to question the devotion Berardi has shown United over the previous years. The 31-year-old is out of contract at Elland Road in the summer, with Football Insider reporting earlier this month that Berardi is free to hold pre-contract discussions with overseas clubs. Football Insider has reported that the Whites are waiting to find out how the remainder of this season pans out before determining whether to offer the Swiss a brand new deal, but that the defender is keen on talking about the prospect of extending his Elland Road stay. Should Leeds opt to not offer him a fresh contract, fans will have to say goodbye to a player who is regarded as a cult hero at Elland Road.
