Leeds United Could Have the Last Laugh After £20m Legal Threat Last Year – Opinion
Leeds United were compelled to sell Luis Sinisterra in the 2023/24 season after the winger threatened legal action to secure a move to Bournemouth.
When Daniel Farke took over at Leeds United, he likely wasn’t aware of the contractual issues left behind by Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta. One of the most high-profile exits that summer was Luis Sinisterra, who moved to Bournemouth on loan after threatening legal action to force a Premier League move.
Luis Sinisterra off Leeds’ Books Following £20million Settlement Earlier This Year
Luis Sinisterra’s impressive loan spell at Bournemouth during the 2023/24 season caught the eye of both manager Andoni Iraola and the club’s hierarchy, leading them to activate their option to buy.
A £20million transfer agreement was reached between Leeds and Bournemouth after the January window closed, bringing an end to a tumultuous saga and allowing Leeds to recoup the fee they paid for the winger in 2022.
Despite his promise, Sinisterra’s first season with Bournemouth saw him struggle with injury, limiting him to just two goals and two assists. This mirrored his inconsistent time at Leeds, where injuries also hindered his impact before he made the move to the South Coast.
Sinisterra remains sidelined due to injury and has yet to justify the £20million fee Bournemouth paid for him. Despite flashes of promise during his loan spell, his time at the South Coast club has been marred by fitness struggles, leaving many questioning if the hefty price tag will be fully justified.
Sinisterra still ruled out through injury and failing to justify £20m fee
Sinisterra had hoped to leave his injury woes behind him this season as Bournemouth looked to climb the table, but his struggles have continued. While Andoni Iraola’s side has been solid, sitting 12th with four wins and three draws from 11 games—including victories over Manchester City and Arsenal—Sinisterra has yet to make a significant impact. His only contributions this season have been a goal and an assist, both coming in a single match against Everton in August.
Since then, he’s started just two games: one in the EFL Cup and one in the league. A hamstring injury has kept him sidelined for the last three matches, with Iraola confirming it’s a recurrence of a previous issue (via BBC):
“His case worries me more because it’s more of a hamstring injury, which he has had previously. He has tried this week but he is not feeling well. He will need more time.”
Leeds were left frustrated when Sinisterra forced a move to Bournemouth on deadline day in 2023, and it seems that the same injury problems that plagued him during his time at Elland Road continue to hinder his ability to justify the £20million price tag.
