‘We had a talk’ – Manager addresses conflicting Leeds United links to £3m winger.

‘We had a talk’ – Manager addresses conflicting Leeds United links to £3m winger.

Although Rangers manager Philippe Clement declined to comment on rumors involving Rabbi Matondo, he acknowledged that player sales will be “important” prior to the transfer window closing. This week, Matondo has been connected to a move to Leeds United; reports of interest in the Elland Road native have come from Football Insider and Football.Scotland. Though the player isn’t currently being regarded as a potential successor for Crysencio Summerville, the YEP recognizes that both are off base.

Summerville joined West Ham United in a £25million-plus move earlier this month and with Leeds now actively pursuing wide reinforcements, speculation continues to intensify. It remains to be seen who will come through the door before August 30 but it seems Matondo could be on his way out of Ibrox, with Clement doing little to categorically rule out an exit.

Clement said to media prior to his team’s Scottish League Cup match against St Johnstone this coming weekend, “No, I cannot say anything about it.” “Players are the subject of a lot of rumors. A few weeks back, we had a conversation about how crucial it is for the team to acquire and sell players. I have no idea what lies ahead for the next two weeks. Thus, we shall see. Rangers are poised to reduce their roster after losing 2-0 at home to Dynamo Kyiv in their UEFA Champions League qualification match second-leg on Tuesday. This comes after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, which eliminated Rangers from the competition for the entire season. Over the following two weeks, a number of marginal players could be moved, and after failing to solidify his first-team place, Matondo is at risk of being moved on.

The Welsh international is not thought to be at the top of Leeds’ summer shortlist, but other reported targets have since committed themselves elsewhere. There was interest in Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi but the 21-year-old has since joined Sheffield United on loan for the season, with their openness to pay a significant loan fee and guarantee minutes key to the decision.

 

Leeds have also held a long-standing interest in Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe, although talk has gone quiet on that front after an initial valuation of around £7m was floated by Elland Road recruitment chiefs. That number is some way short of what Norwich would want and no formal bids have left West Yorkshire, with French outfit Olympique de Marseille submitting two offers since.

Despite it appearing as though Georginio Rutter will be leaving Leeds in the coming days due to Brighton and Hove Albion activating his £40 million release clause, Daniel Farke stressed this week that Leeds need not panic. The German further stated that despite their clear need for reinforcements, his side will not be held hostage. The Whites owner told reporters, “With some comments we will, right now, spend lots of money, I won’t make their (Leeds’) life more difficult.” “It is true that we have learned from the past and that we have aspirations, but we also have the opportunity to bring in players.

“We will never act in a panic, relinquish control of the reins, or enter into contracts that are detrimental to the club’s medium- and long-term viability. We take action if it means producing work of lower quality, but I’m confident we’ll find work of appropriate quality that is both reasonably priced and, ultimately, not overcharged.

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