The mass exodus of Leeds’ fringe players seems to have begun, as the Yorkshire Evening Post understand Caleb Ekuban is close to securing a permanent switch to loan side Trabzonspor.
Ekuban joined the Turkish side on a season-long deal last summer, and proved to be a regular under Unal Karaman, where he made 36 appearances across all competitions and scored eight goals.
The 25-year-old has no future at Elland Road, though, as United are expected to confirm his permanent transfer to the Medical Park Stadium natives in the coming days, with the Super Lig outfit activating their option-to-buy, which will see the Whites bank a seven-figure sum on top of the loan fee agreed ahead of the recently concluded campaign.
It is thought the Whites board are keen to raise as much funds as possible by clearing out Marcelo Bielsa’s squad of any deadwood to fund our own recruitment drive, and Ekuban will only be the first of many to leave Elland Road.
Yosuke Ideguchi, Laurens De Bock and Samuel Saiz are all said to be on the chopping block, with the Spanish playmaker – who made a sudden exit from West Yorkshire to join Getafe on loan in the winter – attracting the interest of Deportivo Alaves and Valencia, despite being linked with a Spanish investigation into match-fixing in La Liga and the Segunda Division.
When the club’s expectation of culling the wage bill with a summer exodus was shared online, here’s how these United supporters reacted…
Anything on the others Phil? Sacko, Anita, Grot etc? Imagine they all go as well
— J???????? (@J_lufc_3) June 3, 2019
Can’t imagine Grot going, we signed him for the future and he still looks to have a promising future.
— Gareth (@Gareth25575462) June 3, 2019
The phrase”Exodus of fringe players” unaccountably prompted an urge to play Football Manager for the first time in years. But no, I’m clean now, and I’m never going back…
— Aidan Cook (@AidanCook) June 3, 2019
Wanted him to work out but sadly wasn’t to be. He worked hard and that’s all we can ask for. Wish him best of luck and hope he smashes 3 past Galatasary next season.
— Mob(Cap)Mentality (@M_C_Mentality) June 3, 2019
Criminal. Most clinical striker that’s ever graced Elland Road
— Dan Holden (@DanHolden_) June 3, 2019
It’s not going raise a lot funds for transfers is it though, what’s your thoughts on a big player leaving?
— Barney ™ (@BarneyStuart21) June 3, 2019
so thats about £30 saved then
— L33D5 4 3V3R (@LeedsUnUnited) June 3, 2019
Happy it worked out for Ekuban in Turkey. Good news for him as well as us; by the sounds of it we’ll get our money back and then some, assuming he’s not been on a very high wage at Elland Road. Which I’d imagine he wasn’t but you never know I guess. #lufc
— Anders Lagerfjärd (@jalager) June 3, 2019
They could spend all summer just trying to get rid of ortas duds let alone bringing more punts in . Change of dof for the senior side for me
— marshall (@sales08988433) June 3, 2019
We certainly have quite a few to get rid of but not sure who is going to sign/loan some of the players ?? #letsprey lol
— Daisy+Jude+max (@Mark34130890) June 3, 2019
I liked the lad shame it didn’t work out for him but if we can double the money on him then it’s not s total loss. Do you know how much the sale clause was Phil? Think I seen £2.5m going around but will be surprised if that is correct. If it is thenfair play to Orta ????????
— Lee Maspero (@Leemo_LUFC) June 3, 2019