OPINION
Leeds fans were already getting very agitated as several key transfer pursuits amounted to nothing.
Major moves to sign Derby County’s Matej Vydra, free agent Abel Hernandez and ex-loanee Kyle Bartely have all stumbled at the final hurdle, to prompt social media angst from a major section of supporters.
That disappointment and frustration is now set to be increased by a few notches after it emerged in recent minutes that they have lost out to Derby in the race to sign Brentford winger Florian Jozefzoon.
The reliable Football Insider has just reported the Dutch winger has started a medical at the headquarters of the east Midlands club as he puts the finishing touches to a transfer.
This comes after Leeds’ offer for Jozefzoon of £2.5million – which matched that of Derby – was accepted by Brentford.
It will be a concern to United that the player had the choice between joining either of the two Championship big hitters and has elected for the one who finished sixth last season.
The main reason could be a more lucrative contract offer, more significant bonuses, or the chance to work under Premier League legend Frank Lampard.
Liverpool sensation Harry Wilson made a similar choice earlier in the week when he spurned a series of offers from various Championship clubs to head to the iPro Stadium for a season-long loan.
Leeds hierarchy are running out of time to land players who can help establish them as serious play-off challengers.
The current squad simply does not have the qualities to do so, whatever the acumen of new boss Marcelo Bielsa.
They were willing to spend significant money for Jozefzoon, just as they were for Vydra, Bartley and Hernandez.
It is a major concern that the big deals keep slipping through the fingers of the Leeds recruitment men. No wonder fans are in despair.