Exclusive: Debayo decides between two offers soon after quitting Leeds
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Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sun 31 August 2025 10:11, UK
Leeds United ex-defender James Debayo is weighing up offers from Belgian club Cercle Brugge and Portuguese club SC União Torreense, sources have told Football Insider.
The centre-back rejected a new deal at Leeds this summer, as well as offers from other English clubs, as he feels he is ready to be playing regular first-team football.
Debayo is now deciding between the two offers as he closes in on a late-window free transfer.
Back in 2021 at the age of 15, the Englishman completed a move to Elland Road from Watford, joining the club’s youth set-up.
Debayo made just one senior appearance for Daniel Farke’s side, coming off the bench for the last minute of a 4-3 win over Swansea City in November 2024.
Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media
Debayo struggled for first-team football last season, and after Leeds were promoted to the Premier League, the prospect of regular minutes became even less likely.
The 20-year-old was well down the pecking order under Farke, with the likes of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk established in the starting lineup.
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Leeds have managed one win from their first three Premier League games, beating Everton 1-0 in their opening match, as well as picking up a point against Newcastle United on Saturday (30 August).
Debayo is still searching for a new club, but with offers on the table from Belgium and Portugal, his future is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Leeds midfielder Darko Gyabi is a target either on loan or permanent for Wrexham and four other clubs, sources have told Football Insider.
Watford, Hull and French duo Lorient and Metz have also registered their interest in signing the 21-year-old before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Gyani spent last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle but has since returned to Leeds, who are open to either a loan or permanent exit.
Football Insider previously reported in July that Championship clubs were monitoring Gyabi for a potential temporary move, but a permanent deal is now also on the table.
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