James Smailes Head of All Out Rugby League and Yorkshire sport at Reach plc07:00, 28 Jun 2026Julian Brandt has spent seven years with Borussia Dortmund(Image: Hendrik Deckers/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)Ahead of what looks like being a busy few days or potentially weeks as Leeds United bid to get some early transfer business done, our Leeds United reporter Isaac Johnson has been answering fans’ questions.Here is the second part of his Q&A with supporters, as featured in his free, weekly subscription newsletter.To subscribe to the Marching On Newsletter, click here.Chris: Is now the time to offload James and other fringe players?It depends which fringe players but for the most part, I’d say yes, now is the time to start being more cut-throat due to new Squad Cost Ratio [SCR] rules tightening spending margins.At the same time, the biggest hurdle is making sure you don’t make a loss on players.Admittedly Leeds probably are not worrying about this too much. The likes of Jack Harrison and Joe Gelhardt would not be of concern given their amortisation fee has long been paid.The only real loss dangers are Max Wober – who has played just 12 games in the past two years due to injury – and Isaac Schmidt, who also had a poor loan at Werder Bremen.As for Daniel James, I can’t see him going, for several reasons. Not least because he signed a new four-year contract last summer (albeit, yes, contracts hardly mean much these days) but also because he could yet have a role to play if the formation changes.Daniel Farke is a big fan of his and James is a fantastic back-up to Harry Wilson. James also needs a full season without injury to regain confidence – few clubs would be interested in him after last season’s record.More likely to go is Wilfried Gnonto, who will fall even further down the pecking list amid the pending arrival of Wilson, having only started three league games last season as it was.Anon: What’s the situation with Harry Wilson?Terms have been agreed but documents are yet to be formally signed. Wilson must complete his medical first, but there are not expected to be any hiccups.I have been told his proposed unveiling is not ‘imminent’ so it could be a case of next week – which would make sense given he is still under contract at Fulham until June 30. His free arrival means the summer transfer budget remains untouched.Fitzroybaggers: Does Julian Brandt have any ancient history with Farke?Not much, really. The most notable thing you can say is that Brandt scored against Daniel Farke’s Borussia Monchengladbach for Borussia Dortmund in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season.Obviously, the manager will know him well given their shared nationality. Brandt has 48 caps so is hardly a stranger in the German domestic scene. But as for direct history between the pair, there’s not so much.Alan Fowler: I personally think they should bring Harry Gray back into the squad now. I also think they need a quality number 10 and also a class centre back. What do you think?On Harry Gray, whilst I get the enthusiasm around him, it is still too early for a Premier League season. He’d only be a mere squad filler which would do his development no good – you need to build match experience.It’s important to remember that Gray, age 17, only has 21 senior career appearances and all but one of those have come at League One level. The boy’s got talent, and Leeds know that, but it’s about developing him carefully. I’d say a full-season loan elsewhere is more likely.On the number 10, I think you’re right, without question. A quality no.10 has been the biggest thing Leeds have lacked ever since Georginio Rutter left, and he wasn’t really a proper 10.Such a player, like Brandt, would enable Leeds to be much more flexible in formation, be it 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1 or even 4-3-1-2. This area, for me, is a must.As for centre-back, my personal view is that Leeds need another option even if Pascal Struijk does sign a renewal, should the back three system be retained.I know James Justin did amply well at right centre-back but going into a full season with just four natural centre-half options when – ideally – you’re using three at any given time is a bit risky.If Struijk goes then Leeds definitely need a senior option but if he stays then a better back up than Sebastiaan Bornauw would be a clever move. That said, there are only so many pennies that can be spent.Revielad: I don’t think Farke’s contract is important at all. In my view it’s in Leeds United’s best interests to let things run. Why would you negotiate new terms now? Giving him an improved contract may prove to be an expensive mistake.Daniel Farke has 12 months left on his contract as things stand / Credit: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFor me, there is far more danger in not handing Farke a renewal. If a deal is agreed then it gives more clarity and enticement for current options, namely Struijk, to pen new terms and also gives potential transfer targets more clarity. Not doing so only creates uncertainty and hesitancy.Paraag Marathe says renewal talks will happen at some stage and I’d take Ethan Ampadu’s new contract and Wilson’s forthcoming arrival as indicators as to how these discussions will go.The manager’s wages are not as hefty as players so the only real risk would be his compensation package if sacked plus the cost of hiring a replacement – all of which comes under the SCR spending umbrella.It could be a risk if things go south quickly, but that would be the case with any manager on new terms. Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace – these are all similar gambles. Leeds could deal with the financial turnover if the worst does happen.Leeinvan: I think the team needs at least three new starters, and all players that were loaned out last season should be sold for whatever you can get.It all depends who arrives ultimately, but you could be bang on the money with three new starters. Wilson looks to be one. A new goalkeeper, if sought after, could be another. And possibly a new midfielder? Leeds are, after all, in talks with Southampton over Shea Charles.That’s if Struijk stays, if not then it could be four. While fresh back-up left-back and striker options will likely be acquired, they might not start from the off.Dominic Calvert-Lewin will stay first choice while Noah Okafor and Anton Stach are staples, as of course is Ethan Ampadu. Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol can be confident of their spots too, as can Gabriel Gudmundsson while Jayden Bogle and James Justin fight for the right flank.As for the loan stars, I think the club will try and move them on but not all will be sold. It’s all down to interest in them, how much other clubs are willing to pay and what future Leeds see for them.It is feasible, for example, that Largie Ramazani is loaned out again given he has two years left on his deal while Wober will have very few takers. While Fiorentina are not looking likely to trigger Jack Harrison’s buy-out, there is an expectation he leaves.Joe Gelhardt will likely depart while Schmidt could be sold too. Mateo Joseph won’t be, though, with his anterior cruciate ligament injury keeping him in rehabilitation back at Thorp Arch for some time.But there is chance to get some cash through the door – the 49ers have made no secret that there will be sales this summer.
Leeds United’s Dan James offload question, Julian Brandt’s Farke history and Harry Gray future
