The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 6th July) Leeds favourites to land Watkins
Good Morning. It's Thursday 6th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
When will Bielsa sign his contract?
With five weeks to go until the new season kicks off, Marcelo Bielsa is yet to sign is new contract, but should the Leeds fans be concerned? Not according to Leeds Utd journalist Phil Hay. He believes it would make no sense for anyone — Bielsa, Orta, Radrizzani or the Leeds’ squad to part company at this time!
The City of Leeds loves Bielsa. He has done in 24 months what 14 previous Managers attempted, but failed to do! Why would he leave now, when he can lock horns with the likes of Guardiola, Mourinho, Klopp and fat Frank. Leeds Director of football Victor Orta was instrumental in bringing Bielsa to Elland Road. It could not have happened without him. The excitable Spaniard is optimistic Bielsa will stay at Elland Road.
We’re having very positive talks with Marcelo daily. We’re hoping that we’re going to be working towards the Premier League season (with him) because we’re planning a really good project there.
Sources close to Bielsa are confident the Argentine will sign on the dotted line but insisted he won’t be rushed. He will not sign until the terms of his contract are crystal clear. Very rarely do his expectations revolve around money. All parties remain confident that a deal will be announced before training resumes next Wednesday.
Leeds favourites with bookies to sign Watkins
Leeds Utd have emerged as favourites with the bookies to sign Brentford striker Ollie Watkins. The 24 year old had a clause in his contract saying if the Bees failed to win promotion, he would be able to leave the club for £18m. Watkins was the second highest goal scorer in the Championship last term, netting 25 times, one less than tp scorer in the Championship Aleksandar Mitrovic!
Leeds Utd 3/1
Aston Villa 4/1
Crystal Palace 5/1
West Ham 6/1
Will the former Exeter City youth player be able to produce the goods in the Premiership? Is £18m cheap for a player of his talents?
Would Leeds be able to afford an established top flight player?
Belgium media have disclosed today that Leeds were prepared to bid £31.6m to Bring Jonathan David to Elland Road. Unfortunately for the Whites, the Canadian International has his heart set on Lille! Had Leeds signed him, how much of their transfer kitty, would that have eaten up?
In other news
Noel Whelen believes that Brentford's attacking midfielder Said Benrahma fits the bill, and ticks all the boxes for Leeds Utd. The former striker believes that Benrahma would be an ideal replacement for Hernandez.
According to Get French Football News (GFFN), Chelsea have offered the services of Michy Batshuayi to Leeds this Summer. The 26yo signed for the Blues back in 2016 for 33m, but has had limited success on loan to Dortmund, Valencia and Palace where he netted five times in 11 appearances.
Leeds United are favourites to sign Norwich ace Emiliano Buendia. He's likely to cost around £25m. (Oddschecker)
Juan Foyth's proposed move to Elland Road is edging closer.
Media outlet TMW claim a deal is edging closer to bring Spurs centre back Juan Foyth to Elland Road with a suggested fee of 15m.
Kun Temenuzhkov has joined third-tier Spanish side Real Union on loan. The 20yo joined Leeds in the summer of 2017 from Barcelona’s youth side and has since been a regular in the club’s Under-23 side scoring regularly for the reserves. Unfortunately he has failed to make the step up. to the first team!
