The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 5th June) - Leeds eye Ivorian International shot stopper
Good Morning. It's Thursday 5th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds eye Ivorian International shotstopper Yahia Fofana
Leeds United are reportedly shifting their focus in the search for a new goalkeeper, with Ivory Coast international Yahia Fofana emerging as the latest target. This news comes as the Whites appear set to miss out on Newcastle United's Nick Pope, who, despite having only a year remaining on his contract, is determined to stay at St James' Park and compete for his place.
Fofana, a seasoned international with 18 caps for the Ivory Coast, has been a key figure for Angers in Ligue 1. He played a crucial role in helping the club secure their Ligue 1 status. During the 2024-25 season, Fofana demonstrated his shot-stopping abilities by keeping seven clean sheets in 33 appearances for Angers, conceding 51 goals in the process.
With Fofana entering the final year of his contract at Angers, the French club are keen to capitalize on his value. To avoid the risk of losing him on a free transfer in 2026, Angers are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the Ivorian goalkeeper.
According to football publication Africa Foot, Leeds United have expressed their interest in acquiring Fofana's services. It is understood that Angers are seeking a fee of £8 million for the 26-year-old.
Leeds' pursuit of a goalkeeper has been well-documented, with several names linked to the club throughout the transfer window. After Caoimhin Kelleher opted to join Brentford under Thomas Frank, the club has been associated with a variety of potential targets. Sam Johnstone is reportedly keen to move to Yorkshire, but Leeds have other ideas.
Leeds finally enter contract talks with Dan James
Leeds United have finally entered talks with their player of the seaon Dan James, regarding a new contract. With just twelve months remaining on his current deal, the club is keen to secure the services of the Welsh international after an impressive season that also saw him shortlisted for Championship Player of the Season.
James proved instrumental in Leeds' successful promotion campaign, contributing a remarkable 12 goals and 9 assists. His stellar performances have made him a key asset for Daniel Farke's side as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.
The ongoing discussions with James also involve a review of his current wages. Following Leeds' relegation in 2023, many players, including James, saw their salaries adjusted. Now, with the club back in the top flight, a potential increase is on the table.
However, reports suggest that the 49ers, Leeds United's owners, are taking a measured approach to wage adjustments. The club aims to align player salaries with their current roles and contributions to the squad. This approach could potentially see James' wages being restructured to reflect his value to the team.
This stance on wage reviews extends beyond James, with the 49ers potentially applying the same principles to other players in the squad. Several key players, including Karl Darlow, Illan Meslier, Patrick Bamford, and Alex Cairns, are also entering the final year of their contracts. This could lead to significant negotiations in the coming months as Leeds United looks to secure its core players for the future and ensure financial stability.
Players take on Red Bull F1 car in drag race at Elland Road
A unique challenge unfolded at Elland Road for a trio of Leeds players before breaking up for their summer break! Isaac Schmidt, Wilfried Gnonto, and Largie Ramazani took on Red Bull's Formula One team in a drag race across the pitch. The weapon of choice for Red Bull? Their 2011 F1 car, the RB7.
While Dan James, reportedly one of the masterminds behind the idea, was sidelined due to injury, Schmidt, Gnonto, and Ramazani eagerly stepped up to represent the Whites! Just two days after their promotion parade and even delaying a celebratory trip to Las Vegas, the players were ready to test their speed against a machine built for pure velocity.
Driving the RB7 was 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad, a promising Formula Two talent. The race spanned the distance between the two penalty boxes, with the unpredictable grass surface and a tight 180-degree turn designed to level the playing field, or rather, the playing pitch.
Unsurprisingly, the RB7 emerged victorious, but the footballers put up a respectable fight. In the end, the car edged out the players by approximately 30 yards, with Isaac Schmidt surprisingly taking the lead amongst his teammates.
"This was a great experience," remarked Ramazani, expressing the sentiment shared by many. "The only thing better would be getting in the car." The Belgian winger, a self-confessed F1 enthusiast, added, "I love F1. I went to the Monaco Grand Prix last week, which was a bucket list moment for me. I used to play F1 games on the console when I was younger, so it was surreal to be next to a real car and race against it.”
Despite the loss, Ramazani remained proud of their effort. "Before the race, I was scared, but I was confident, too. We did great, but in the end, the car was just too quick." He also playfully defended his injured teammate, Dan James, stating, "DJ would smoke this car."
Lindblad, on the other hand, admitted to pre-race jitters about driving the powerful F1 car on an unfamiliar surface. “Ahead of the race, I was a bit nervous. I’d never driven on grass and had no idea how it would go," he confessed. "The car has a ton of horsepower, and there is not much grip on grass, so I wasn’t sure if I could go full throttle and turn the car properly. It was great fun to challenge my skills and compete against footballers rather than other drivers.”