BIG MISTAKE: Pundit reveal Leeds United would have stroke a Gold on Teenage GEM that had 2 Goals + 2 Assist in first few appearance under Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds United had an eventful summer transfer window, which closed last Friday, marked by numerous incoming and outgoing transfers.
The club missed out on Premier League promotion last season after a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the play-off final. This left Leeds vulnerable to losing key players. Tottenham Hotspur signed Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville moved to West Ham, Glen Kamara joined Rennes, and Georginio Rutter was snapped up by Brighton. These players had been regular starters under Daniel Farke in the 2023/24 season, and their departures necessitated replacements.
Leeds responded by bringing in Largie Ramazani, Manor Solomon, Alex Cairns, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Ao Tanaka, Isaac Schmidt, and Joe Rothwell to strengthen the squad. Farke needed to bolster the team after the losses of Rutter and Summerville, and the club invested heavily, including a significant signing for the 2024/25 season.
### How much Leeds paid for Largie Ramazani
Leeds reportedly secured Ramazani from Almeria for £10 million. With Summerville gone, they needed a left winger, and Ramazani, along with Solomon, was brought in to fill that gap. Solomon made an immediate impact with an assist in Leeds’ 2-0 win against Hull at Elland Road, while Ramazani made a brief 17-minute appearance off the bench.
Ramazani, 23, impressed in La Liga last season despite Almeria’s relegation, creating 10 ‘big chances’ in 29 matches. However, his teammates only converted five of those opportunities, indicating he was hindered by poor finishing.
### Jack Clarke transfer details
In hindsight, Leeds could have retained a more valuable asset in Jack Clarke. Back in 2019, former sporting director Victor Orta sold Clarke to Tottenham Hotspur for £8.5 million after a breakout season where he contributed two goals and two assists in 25 appearances under Marcelo Bielsa. Tottenham loaned Clarke back to Leeds, but Bielsa didn’t prioritize him, and he returned to Spurs in January 2020.
Clarke eventually joined Sunderland in the 2021/22 season, signing permanently in 2022. He flourished there, and his performances earned him a move to Ipswich Town for a reported fee of £15 million, with add-ons that could raise it to £20 million. Clarke’s development at Sunderland saw him become a key player in the Championship, contributing 20 goals and assists in his first full season.
### Clarke’s value compared to Ramazani
Ipswich’s acquisition of Clarke for at least £15 million means he’s valued £5-10 million more than Ramazani, who occupies the same left-wing position. Clarke’s strong form at Sunderland, where he recorded 15 goals from an expected 11.43 goals (xG) in the 2023/24 season, shows his clinical finishing ability. Despite registering only four assists, his creativity was apparent with 12 ‘big chances’ created and an expected assists (xA) tally of 9.77.
Looking back, Orta’s decision to sell Clarke for £8.5 million now seems like a missed opportunity for Leeds, as they lost out on a highly talented player who could have significantly increased in value while developing at Elland Road.