Leeds United turned down bids totalling an enormous £120million during the January transfer window, according to former Whites defender Danny Mills.
The Lowdown: Leeds have quiet January
It was hoped that Marcelo Bielsa would have a busy January in terms of incoming signings, such is the extent of his side’s injury crisis, but that didn’t prove to be the case.
Instead, Leeds conducted no business at all, meaning Bielsa will have to make do with what he has in his squad between now and the end of the season.
There was reported interest in key Whites players such as Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha late last month, however, but both key men ended up staying put for the rest of the campaign.
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The Latest: Mills makes big claim
Mills made 139 appearances at Leeds and clearly still has good knowledge of what’s going on at the club, sharing what he’s been ‘led to believe’ by his sources at Elland Road.
Speaking to Football Insider, he went as far as to claim that Leeds said no to around £120million’s worth of transfer money, but also believes West Ham were simply trying to appease their fans by looking ‘ambitious’:
“I’m led to believe that Leeds turned down bids for £120million accumulatively for players in the transfer window. That’s £50million-plus for Raphinha and £50million-plus for Kalvin Phillips and maybe a little for somebody else.
“Again, were they really going to let them go in January? Was it West Ham just bidding knowing full well they’re not going to get the player but it looks good and it looks like they’re trying.
“I suggest there might be a little bit of that from West Ham, playing to the audience and looking ambitious. It’s ok throwing bids out there but if you’ve got no real chance of making those moves happen then it’s a little bit of a smokescreen.”
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The Verdict: Good decision by the club
While earning big money for Phillips and Raphinha would be healthy for Leeds in a financial sense, accepting offers midway through the season would have been a critical error for matters on the pitch.
The pair are essential to the Whites’ hopes of steering clear of the relegation zone and the hope is that both remain at the club for many years to come.
A summer exit for either may not come as a major surprise, but should one demand a move away, Leeds will at least have more time to find top-quality replacements, unlike in late-January.
In other news, Leeds are still believed to be monitoring one player. Find out who it is here.