Good Morning. It's Wednesday 11th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds bracing themselves as battle for Diarra intensifies
Any hopes Leeds have of signing Habib Diarra were dealt a bitter blow last night, as he and his Senegal side ripped apart England at the City ground. Fresh off a stellar season captaining Strasbourg, the 21-year-old midfielder firmly put his credentials on public view for the World to see, and even netted on the hour mark.
Diarra has thrived under Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg, almost leading the team to European qualification despite pre-season expectations of a relegation battle. His leadership qualities are evident, captaining the side at such a young age. This form has translated to the international stage, where he recently earned his 11th cap for Senegal, marking the occasion with his fourth goal in as many matches.
Reports emerged earlier this week that Leeds had submitted a £22 million bid for Diarra. However, questions lingered regarding the player's interest in a move to Elland Road. He was rumoured to have taken a detour to check out Thorp Arch before meeting up yesterday afternoon with his teammates, 87 miles away at the City Ground.
Convincing Diarra to choose Leeds will require a persuasive argument. The club might need to position itself as a stepping stone, offering Diarra a platform to demonstrate his abilities in the Premier League before potentially moving to a bigger club. A successful period in the English top flight would undoubtedly elevate his profile and attract attention from the European giants he currently aspires to join.
Leeds eye Frankfurt starlet
Leeds are eyeing Frankfurt's young left-back sensation, Nathaniel Brown, as a potential replacement for Junior Firpo. According to LeedsUnited.news, Brown, who has been described as "brilliant" by Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller, has impressed greatly, contributing to 10 goals in 33 appearances. His strong partnership with Kristensen on the left flank has made him a key player for the Bundesliga club.
While the potential transfer fee remains unclear, Frankfurt are likely to demand a significant sum considering Brown's age and burgeoning talent, especially as he is under contract until 2030. The pursuit of Brown emerges amidst cooling rumours surrounding Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas, suggesting Leeds are exploring multiple options to bolster their left-back position.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Aston Villa's Alex Moreno is available for just £5m. The 32yo (a few days ago) offers a wealth of top flight experience from around Europe, and could well plug the No3 position on the cheap until they have sufficient funds for a top drawer defender. He too has been thrown into the Leeds Utd mix.
very clever from our resident medic 
you're welcome 
