Leeds United latest: Cash windfall, Brenden Aaronson news, BBC pundits predict Norwich City clash | OneFootball

Leeds United ended the regular season third in the Championship, and have subsequently claimed a draw in the play-off semi-final first-leg with Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Daniel Farke's side had been the form team in the division in 2024 up until the international break, but their end of season results had plenty of fans worried heading into the play-offs, having just missed out on automatic promotion.

It meant a play-off campaign for the first time since 2019, when Marcelo Bielsa oversaw a two-legged defeat to Derby County. However, the former Norwich boss is a two-time Championship winner and is aiming for a third promotion in as many years from the second tier, and secured a 0-0 draw at his former side.

Leeds may well need Wembley for Farke to make it a hat-trick of promotions, with the final to be held on Sunday 26th May, and Thursday's game at Elland Road will decide if they get there.

However, in the meantime, with that potentially season-defining game looming ever closer, here we have taken a look at some of the latest news and biggest headlines coming out of the club.

Rafa Mujica set to earn Leeds cash windfall

Leeds United look set to receive a financial windfall from the transfer of one of their former players following a report from Portuguese outlet Tinta Amarilla claimed which the Elland Road outfit will receive a six-figure fee thanks to the next move of attacker Rafa Mujica.

Back in the summer of 2019, Mujica joined Leeds - who were managed by Marcelo Bielsa at the time - on a three-year contract, signing from Barcelona's B team. However, the forward was never able to establish himself at Elland Road. After a string of loan spells, he left the West Yorkshire outfit permanently in 2021 to make a loan move to Las Palmas permanent, having never made his competitive debut for the Whites.

Despite that, it now appears as though Leeds are set to benefit from the form that the 25-year-old has produced since he left the club. Since making the move to Portugal with Arouca, Mujica has started to find his touch in front of goal, scoring a total of 37 times in 68 appearances in all competitions for his current club, including 20 in Portugal's top flight this season.

That now looks set to earn him a move elsewhere in the summer transfer window. According to this latest update, Mujica is now set for a move to Qatar, to join Al-Sadd. It is claimed that transfer will cost around €10 million, with the attacker apparently taking steps to finalise the deal, and as part of solidarity rules, clubs that trained players between the age of 12 and 21 are entitled to a split of 5% of a transfer fee for that particular individual.

Leeds to take Brenden Aaronson valuation hit

Leeds are willing to accept offers worth up to £12 million for Brenden Aaronson this summer, according to Football Insider. The Whites are prepared to cash in on the USA international during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Aaronson joined Leeds from RB Salzburg in a deal worth a reported £24.7 million in the summer of 2022. Leeds are prepared to cash in, regardless of which division they’ll be competing in next season.

It is also believed that Union Berlin have no interest in sealing a permanent deal to sign Aaronson, meaning he will return to Elland Road at the end of the campaign. However, the Championship side has knocked down the asking price considering to around £12 million in a bid to get him off the books this summer.

BBC's Leeds United v Norwich City play-off prediction

Former Norwich City striker, Chris Sutton, believes his former club can beat Leeds in the second leg of the Championship play-offs.

Sutton said: “Do you know what? I don’t think that’s the worst result [for Norwich]. Elland Road, right, brilliant stadium that it is.

“But with what’s at stake? Josh Sargent went off injured towards the end. That’s a worry, but imagine if Leeds fans get a little bit nervy, I’ve got a feeling for the Canaries, Rob.”

Whilst, in the latest installment of The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker asked his co-hosts for their predictions following this weekend's action.

"From today's evidence, I haven't got a f****** clue," Micah Richards said.

"Anyone who scores a goal I would say," Lineker said. "I mean they are always a bit cautious in the first leg I think. But I suspect it might be Leeds and Southampton. They are good results for both those sides, aren't they?

"I said Southampton and I think that was a good result for them. 0-0 away to West Brom is a good result, so I would fancy Southampton getting through."

However, Richards revealed he would be sticking by his original pick, believing Daniel Farke's side will return to the Premier League this term. "Leeds. I am sticking with Leeds," he concluded.