Luke Ayling scored his first goal of the season to equalise against West Bromwich Albion on Friday night
Luke Ayling admits he’s counting down the days September 1, when the summer transfer window will slam shut. The Leeds United vice-captain has already seen 13 teammates leave Elland Road this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, but more exits are expected as Leeds enter the final two weeks of the window.
Jack Harrison became the latest player to say his farewells this week, leaving Leeds to join Premier League side Everton, while Tyler Adams should follow him out of the door with a permanent switch to Bournemouth lined up, according to reports. There’s plenty of uncertainty remaining, though, with the futures of Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra, who have refused to play in order to push through their exits, still up in the air.
The Whites have only been able to bring in four names this summer to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad and new signings before the deadline will be key to the club’s hopes of winning promotion from the Championship this season. The lack of squad depth at Elland Road was exposed once more on Friday night as Farke was only able to name five outfield players on his bench to take on West Brom and the club will be doing all they can to add to their numbers before the deadline.
Ayling knows a lot can happen between now and the 11pm deadline on September 1, but he’s wishing the summer away in the hope Leeds can finally find stability under the new manager.
“It’s a very long season, this Championship season, and obviously there’s 43 games to go,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m not going to lie, I can’t wait for the window to close so that we know what we’ve got.
“There is a lot of uncertainty and a lot of players going. Hopefully, we will get a few in over the next few weeks, but we have a great squad in there. It’s a young group who really want to do well.
“We work hard on the training ground every day and I know it is frustrating for the fans at times, but I promise you, we are working everyday really hard. We are a young team and I’m sure things will come good.”
Ayling was the Elland Road hero on Friday night as his second half header secured a 1-1 draw against the Baggies and prevented the club from falling to a second league defeat in the space of a week.
