Leeds United are closing in on a deal to sign Freiburg’s Robin Koch and Arsenal’s Rob Holding, for the combined fee that Brighton were demanding for Ben White.
The Peacocks were keen on landing last season’s loanee White on a permanent deal, but they have been unable to strike a deal with the Seagulls, but are now turning to alternative targets.
In the know Leeds pundit Noel Whelan has insisted that his club will not be forced to pay over the odds for their targets, and are now set to pursue a double deal for the same sort of fee demanded for White.
He told the FootballInsider: “We cannot be held to ransom over Ben White.
“We need two centre-halves, not just the one. We cannot play with just Ben White and Liam Cooper throughout the season, we need to have options. Leeds do not have a great deal of options when it comes to strikers and centre-halves. We need many options down the spine of the side.
“If we get Koch for £20million and Holding for £15million that is the equivalent of Ben White. You get two for the price of one there. Two very good players as well.
“If he had a terrible season last year Brighton would have sold him for £15million. He has only had one good season in the Championship, I am sure he will be an excellent player but he is unproven at Premier League level.
“Leeds cannot be held to ransom, they just can’t. Not when we need more than one centre-half and we need to look at the bigger picture.”
Holding has fallen down the pecking order in recent months, with Pablo Mari and William Saliba already gearing up for the new season, while Gabriel Magalhaes is also expected to be announced as joining in the coming days.
Rob’s Arsenal career has suffered at the hands of injury, and will leave with his head held high, and at that price should prove to be a bargain buy for Leeds.
Will Holding have any regrets on his time with the club?
Patrick
Leeds will be a good move for Holding, Bielsa is a top top coach. If he does indeed move on to join Leeds I wish him well and thank him for his service to Arsenal
Bielsa seems to improve every player he coaches. Players with any sense should want to play for him
When he arrived from Bolton I had high hopes for Holding ,who strikes me as a very decent, unassuming young man.He is imperious in the air but unfortunately he lacks the pace to be top quality, so I would not be averse to selling him to a good footballing side like Leeds.Being a northern lad such a move should appeal tohim.
As Gooners rather than “Holdings, so to speak, surely what matters is NOTwhether Holding has regrets but whether the club does and whether we fans do. I always have to question WHERE the loyalty most lies of those who worry more about such and such a players felings above that of the club itself.
I repeat, we are Gooners, NOT Holdings, Ozils, NOR EVEN BERGKAMPS, NOR HENRYS EITHER.
Club FIRST every time, players second, in their rightful place behind the club. If anyone disagrees with that view perhaps you woud tell us all exactly why?
We should demand at least 20-25 million for Holding. And do we have enough fit center-backs that we are considering to sell Holding?
I had high hopes for Holding I cant forget his highlight when playing Stoke Arsenal were getting roughed up by Stoke and Holding came on as a late substitute and I remember him taking out one of the Stoke players it was sublime exactly what was needed total respect.
I really wanted Holding to make that Centre Back position his own and I think he would have done if he hadn’t got injured and unfortunately Arsenal can’t wait for him to get back to form and I really think he couldn’t be going to a better club to take his career to the next level he will be a massive success their and good luck to him.
MIG, couldn’t agree more.
Also I agree with Val and D sinclair, that Leeds United have a top class manager in Bielsa, who, if Holding stays fit, will bring the best out of him.
“Two for one” good business by Leeds United.