Daniel Farke may be feeling the heat at Leeds United right now, but one area where he’s earned credit is in his transfer dealings. Whether it’s finding value in the market or cashing in on players at the right time, Farke’s recruitment record stands out.
Leeds supporters were left wanting more after the summer window, especially following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Burnley that exposed their lack of attacking edge. Yet, the players Farke has brought in have largely proven to be smart business.
Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Ao Tanaka, Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were all signed for under £10 million, and each has justified – or exceeded – their price tag.
Another shrewd piece of business was Glen Kamara. The Finnish midfielder arrived from Rangers in 2023 for less than £5 million and played a key role in Leeds’ run to the Championship play-off final the following season. When Rennes offered around £9 million for him the next summer, Leeds more than doubled their investment.
Kamara was part of a profitable exodus that also saw Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter depart – bringing in over £120 million combined. However, things have since gone south for Kamara in France.
His move to Rennes hasn’t worked out. After a handful of appearances, he was loaned to Al Shabab in January but failed to secure a permanent move. Back in Rennes, he’s yet to feature this season, and the French club are now open to selling him for just £2.5 million – a steep drop from what they paid.
According to Foot Mercato, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and OGC Nice are all showing interest in reviving Kamara’s career.
During his short spell at Rennes, Kamara made just 13 appearances, starting eight, before being frozen out of the squad. Now 29, he’ll be eager to find a fresh start in January – and a return to England, where he flourished under Farke, could be the ideal opportunity.