The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 26th January) Chelsea recall could open door for Disasi loan move
Good Morning. It's Monday 26th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Chelsea recall could open door for Disasi loan move
Football insider David Ornstein dropped interesting news over the weekend that could have a knock on effect for Leeds Utd. Chelsea have pulled the plug on Aaron Anselmino’s loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, recalling the 20-year-old Argentine defender back to London for assessment. The move makes sense, Liam Rosenior and the Chelsea brain trust want a firsthand look at the highly-rated youngster before deciding his long-term future. But here’s where it gets interesting for Leeds United: Anselmino’s return could open the door for Axel Disasi to finally complete his loan move to Elland Road.
Leeds have been in the market for an experienced central defender, and Disasi—despite falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge, ticks pretty much every box. The 27-year-old French international, brought in for a hefty £38.5 million back in 2022, brings pedigree with five caps for Les Bleus, and the kind of versatility that Leeds need to see their campaign through. He's solid on either side of a back four and more than capable at right wing-back if needed. He’s spent most of this season training on his own, deemed surplus during Enzo Maresca’s rebuild, but Rosenior’s arrival has at least seen him reintegrate with first-team sessions.
For Leeds, this presents a golden chance. They’re not looking for a permanent fix right now—just reliable cover to add depth amid a gruelling top flight campaign. A short-term loan for Disasi would give manager Daniel Farke the reinforcement he’s been after without breaking the bank. If Chelsea are keen to move him on, and Leeds are willing to offer a temporary home, this could be one of those moves that makes everyone happy.
Gray finding league one challenging
Harry Gray’s first two games at Rotherham United have been a textbook mix of excitement, learning curves and a healthy dose of “you‑can‑do‑better”. The 17‑year‑old Leeds United striker arrived at the New York Stadium almost a fortnight ago and was thrust straight into senior football, making his debut in a 3‑2 loss to Stockport County before earning a start in the 1‑1 draw with AFC Wimbledon, where he clocked 78 minutes of action.
Rotherham boss Matt Hamshaw was candid in his post‑match interview with The Rotherham Advertiser: “He was just cramping up. I’m having to manage people’s minutes, and that was evident today. I’m starting them and them coming off is going to happen because they’re one or two weeks off match fitness and sharpness.” In plain English, the young forward is still feeling the physical demands of League One, and the coaching staff are already tweaking his workload.
Gray quickly discovered that seasoned centre‑backs Patrick Bauer and Ryan Johnson are not the sort of opponents you can simply out‑run. “Sam had a good partner up there in Harry. I just felt that Harry was getting latched onto by their centre‑backs a bit much and should have come off them and not had that battle. He’s not going to win that battle at 17,” Hamshaw noted, highlighting the importance of reading the game rather than trying to muscle past every defender. By the final minutes, the teen’s legs were clearly feeling the strain: “He came off the defenders and got into those pockets, then you just saw him fatigue a bit at the end.”
Whilst Gray hasn't hit the ground running, we must understand that senior football is a different challenge from youth level. Testing his physical attitubes against seasoned lower league defenders is always going to be difficult, but what Leeds will be hoping is that he'll return to Elland Road this summer stronger and more accumplished.
Leeds close to completing £40m strand Larsen deal
Leeds are edging closer to securing the signing of Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, with negotiations heating up despite an initial bid being rejected. The Elland Road club reportedly tabled an offer worth £30 million, plus £6 million in add-ons, in an attempt to lure the 25-year-old away from the West Midlands. While that package fell short of Wolves’ £40 million valuation, prompting a rejection, sources suggest the two clubs are now working on restructuring the deal to bridge the gap.
Behind the scenes, a familiar face could be making all the difference: Gabriel Gudmundsson. The Leeds left-back, who previously played alongside Strand Larsen at FC Groningen during the 2020-21 season, could play a key role in convincing the Norwegian forward to make the move to West Yorkshire, especially with other clubs vying for Strand Larsens Signature. The duo formed a solid on-pitch partnership back in the Eredivisie, with Gudmundsson setting up four of Strand Larsen’s nine goals that season.
With Leeds pushing hard to strengthen their attacking options, the combination of a strategic restructured offer and personal persuasion appears to be tipping the scales in their favour. While Wolves remain firm on their valuation, the growing momentum suggests a deal could be on the horizon. If completed, Strand Larsen would bring physical presence, aerial prowess, and proven top flight effectivenes, having scored 15 goals last season.