A bitter wind had provided an unwelcome backdrop to Leeds’ 2-2 draw with West Ham in January and the Elland Road faithful were not inclined to hang around longer than necessary. But Mateusz Klich stood transfixed, motionless, in a daze. His body language betrayed the emotional hurricane within. His compatriot Lukasz Fabianski offered his hand but there was not the embrace typical of players who share a national jersey. Then Klich bent down, supporting himself as he placed his hands on his knees.

Rumours of his departure had done the rounds but no mention had been made of when, if at all, Klich would likely leave for a new life in the US with MLS paperweights DC United. Fans were still digesting Christmas leftovers, and a frustrating result that left Leeds precariously close to the bottom three, rather than transfer gossip. Klich had been the subject of speculation back in August but nothing had come of that. Smoke without fire. Ifs, buts and maybes.

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