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Leeds United have been linked to a number of defenders during this summer transfer window, and none of the rumors seem to have gotten as much attention as the possibility of Aden Flint (and Joe Bryan) leaving Bristol City to head north to Yorkshire to join the Whites on a big money transfer.
Flint desperate for #lufc. #Leeds desperate for Flint, but fear #bcfc asking for too much. Talks ongoing with hope of progress..
— indykaila News (@indykaila__) July 24, 2017
Bristol City centre-back Aden Flint would likely cost 4-5 million but impression we are still getting is that #lufc are not interested.
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) July 25, 2017
However, as you can see, there are conflicting reports galore, with numerous rumors, links in the press, etc., all claiming that Flint is unsettled and looking to move on with multiple clubs interested, but journalists who cover Leeds are claiming that there is absolutely no interest from Leeds at all in Flint.
So could this all be an elaborate ruse?
Looks as though Aden's people are having a look to see if the grass is greener elsewhere. They believe they can land him a big wage rise.
— Andy Stockhausen (@AndyStockhausen) July 29, 2017
❌ Despite persistent rumours, Lee Johnson confirms #BristolCity have not received any bids for Aden Flint or Joe Bryan.
— Bristol City FC (@bcfctweets) July 25, 2017
So who should the fans believe?
This wouldn’t be the first time that agents have used the press and invented links to clubs to seal a bigger contract for their clients. After all, Leeds has brought in 10 new players this summer, and yet the club still seem to be interested in bringing in a few more with centre back still a position of need for Leeds, despite the signing of Matthew Pennington on loan from Everton. What has added fuel to the fire of the rumors was the report that Leeds were looking in the “domestic” market for central defenders, after avoiding overpriced English players for most of the other signings this summer.
unless we dip into the foreign market maybe, but I remember Phil Hay saying that we're staying domestic for CB's
— Max (@Max_LUFC) July 25, 2017
Leeds fans have been spoiled this off season as most of the transfer rumors have turned out to be true. Felix Wiedwald from Werder Bremen didn’t make any sense until the deal was sealed. Even Gianni Alioski from FC Lugano and Caleb Ekuban from Chievo Verona seemed like rumors out of nowhere until the club announced them. So perhaps the Flint rumors are like that, an easily dismissed rumor that turns out to be true. However, given the almost constant drumbeat of “links” in the press with various clubs that have been active in the transfer market, such as Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham City, the “Flint-to-Leeds” rumor might just be an agent talking to some members of the press trying to get Flint a raise.