Fulham and AFC Bournemouth become latest clubs linked with Leeds United's Pascal Struijk
Fulham and AFC Bournemouth become the latest clubs to be linked with Leeds United star Pascal Struijk
Fulham and AFC Bournemouth are the latest clubs to have been linked with Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk.
The centre-back arrived at Leeds from Ajax’s academy as a teenager in 2018, winning a contract after a successful trial.
He has blossomed into an established senior figure, becoming one of Daniel Farke’s most trusted lieutenants, and is nearing the 200-appearance milestone.
The 26-year-old is under contract at Elland Road until 2027 and as the final year of his deal approaches, transfer speculation has been circulating.
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Pascal Struijk latest
Aston Villa and Newcastle United, as well as Leeds’ Premier League relegation battle rivals Tottenham Hotspur, have been credited with interest in the former Netherlands youth international.
According to SportsBoom, there is interest from Bournemouth as they plan a bolstering of their backline.
Fulham have been described as long-term admirers of Struijk, although it has been claimed they will hold off on transfer plans until there is clarity over the future of manager Marco Silva.
Reports have suggested Leeds want to keep Struijk and the latest has indicated the Whites want to tie him down to a new contract.
It now remains to be seen what the future holds for the cultured centre-back, who impressed in Leeds’ 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last night (April 22).
Settling at Leeds United
In a recent interview on ‘The Official Leeds United Podcast’, Struijk lifted the lid on his decision to join Leeds eight years ago.
He said: “There was two places I could have gone to. One was a team in Holland, called Groningen, which more towards the north, and play in the second team.
“Or, I could go for a trial here at Leeds and see how this is feeling, take a big step into a new country and moving. I decided it was better for me to take a big step and see how I develop as a person.
“It was such a big step away from home. It’s not like I’m still in the same country, I can rely on my parents or I can rely on coming back and forth.
“It’s more like, I want to put myself in this position, throw myself in the deep end, see how I grow or develop from this situation, because I feel there is no right or wrong. I can only see if I put myself up to that challenge, to see how I develop from there. That is something that has worked out really well for me.”