Aston Villa to be handed great signing as four-man Leeds exodus confirmed by journalist; Euro titans can benefit too

Aston Villa look set to be given the brilliant signing of a Leeds United star on a plate following the Whites’ relegation to the Championship, with three other players also expected to depart Elland Road.

Leeds’ three-year stay in the Premier League came to an end as they finished in 19th place on just 31 points, five points from safety. Leeds were beaten 4-1 by Tottenham on the final day of the season in a match they needed to win to stand any chance of staying up. Although, as it turned out, Everton’s victory over Bournemouth would have ultimately relegated them anyway.

Renowned relegation firefighter Sam Allardyce was brought in with just four games left to try and keep Leeds up. But they could only manage one point from those four outings, meaning Allardyce has now suffered consecutive top-flight relegations for the first time in his career.

Leeds are now searching for a new manager to help them gain an immediate return to the Prem. They have been linked with Frenchman Regis Le Bris, who has done a good job at Lorient in Ligue 1 this term.

But Leeds will have to gain promotion from the Championship without some of the big names that are currently in their squad.

During an interview with GiveMeSport, journalist Ryan Taylor has discussed some of the players who will likely secure transfers this summer.

READ MORE: Leeds Utd exodus to begin with electric forwards, as two Euro giants prepare to pounce

“I think Marc Roca is definitely one that will move on. Rodrigo Moreno as well,” Taylor declared.

“Wilfried Gnonto would be a great signing for anyone. Jack Harrison, 100 per cent I see him going, I don’t see him staying at the club.”

Villa, West Ham want Leeds ace

Villa will be delighted to hear English winger Harrison will be available for transfer. On May 30, talkSPORT named them and West Ham as being interested in snapping him up.

Harrison should be available for a cut-price fee too as talkSPORT reveal he has a relegation clause in his Leeds contract.

The 26-year-old is one of the few Leeds players who has emerged from this season with any credit. He has proven to be one of their only sources of creativity, registering six goals and 10 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.

But now, it looks like Villa will benefit from having Harrison’s creativity in their squad, as long as they manage to fight West Ham off for him.

Some of the biggest clubs in Europe will also be looking to feed off the scraps of Leeds’ relegation. Real Madrid have identified Rodrigo as a cheap potential backup striker following Karim Benzema’s departure for Al Ittihad.

Rodrigo’s relegation clause reportedly stands at just £3m, despite Leeds initially signing him for a then club-record £27m.

Madrid believe Rodrigo could deputise perfectly for their new world-class striker, which might be Harry Kane. And the Spanish titans would not have to dip into their Kane budget when snaring the Spaniard from Leeds.

As Taylor mentions, Gnonto would be a fantastic signing for whoever can get their hands on him. He is only 19 years of age but is already a master at the art of dribbling and can cause a host of problems for opposition defenders.

Gnonto has publicly expressed his love for boyhood club Inter on a few occasions, although it is actually Juventus who have more recently been linked with him.

Roca, in contrast, has not yet been the subject of many transfer rumours. But he will want to play for a top-flight club next season and this therefore makes a Leeds exit likely.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s Transfer Gossip provides the latest on Villa’s rumoured swoop for a Liverpool player.