Leeds United have received a reason to revisit a January move for Lyon attacking midfielder Pavel Šulc after he explained why his expected summer transfer never happened.

Šulc, 25, attracted interest from several clubs during the summer, with Leeds United among the clubs linked with him. Lyon had placed a valuation on the midfielder, with July reports putting Lyon’s demand at around €25 million. No agreement followed, leaving Šulc in France for a second season.

Šulc has now explained the situation. He said he expected a departure, but asked Lyon officials to bring him concrete proposals rather than hearing that clubs had made enquiries. According to his comments to Czech outlet ČT Sport, interested sides did make contact, yet the gap proved too large.

“A move was certainly on the cards. But I told the club officials to give me something concrete”, Sulc was quoted as saying by Sport.

“I didn’t want to know just because a club were making inquiries. Clubs did actually reach out, but we couldn’t agree on the money; in the end, they said they didn’t want to pay that much for me.

“I’m not a twenty-year-old prospect—though perhaps if I held a Portuguese passport, I’d be a more marketable asset. I don’t mean for that to sound bad.”

His next remark drew attention. Šulc suggested that his age and nationality could have affected his marketability, saying he might have carried greater value as a younger player with a Portuguese passport. He quickly added that he did not intend the comment negatively.

Leeds have reasons to keep the conversation alive. Šulc scored 14 Ligue 1 goals during his first Lyon campaign and finished the 2025-26 season with 25 direct goal involvements across competitions. He has started the new campaign more quietly after fitness issues, although he has three assists.