Good Morning. It's Wednesday 26th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Whites set to wrap up Darlow deal
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Leeds are finally close to wrapping up the signature of Karl Darlow. The 32yo shot-stopper is surplus to requirements at St James Park following the arrival of Nick Pope last Summer. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull, where he made twelve appearances.
He was hotly tipped to join Bournemouth earlier this month, but the move broke down due to financial issues, and the player wanting to stay closer to family and friends in the North East. The Cherries are not set to sign Romanian goal-keeper Andrei Radu, giving Leeds free reign to pursue Darlow. Once Darlow arrives, it is believed that Leeds will give Illan Meslier permission to leave.
Where will Leeds goals come from this season?
The new season kicking off in just eleven days, and to say Leeds are not prepared is an understatement. Half of last season's starting line up have already deserted the sinking ship, with others forming an orderly queue for the exit door.
Leeds need goals if they are to win promotion back to the promised land; but where will they come from? Bamford has the agility of a rock, and the injury record of someone who has just jumped off a bridge onto oncoming traffic. Record signing Rutter (Leeds other striking option) isn't much better. Nobody knows where he should be playing (including himself), and only gets a mention due to his ridiculously high price tag.
Much of this is immaterial, as the distribtion is so pitiful. The last time Leeds won a game was back in February, against an awful Saints team (1-0), how long will it be until Leeds record another victory?
Where did things go wrong with Arronson
There's an interesting piece in the Athletic, in which Phil Hay asks why didn't things work out with Brendan Arronson at Elland Road? On paper, he should have been the ideal No 8; young, creative, a good passer of the ball, and an engine to match. He even passed the Bielsa test! At 22, and four years remaining on his contract, a loan move may not be the worst idea in the World. The problem is, what if Leeds don't bounce back at the first attempt? Not only will para-shoot payments be severely impacted, but a whole new set of players clauses may come into play!
Hay reveals that whilst Union Berlin currently don't have a purchase option, Arronson's release will remain active for as long as Leeds remain outside the top flight.
Former Leeds sporting director Victor Orta and Bielsa led the recruitment and made Aaronson a priority target for the January 2022 transfer window, but Salzburg wouldn’t budge. They held firm to their policy to not sell mid-season with a round of 16 Champions League tie with Bayern Munich looming in February. Aaronson was identified not because of his nationality or familiarity with Marsch, but his fit within Bielsa’s system and stellar performances in the Champions League group stage with Salzburg — particularly his underlying ground-covering and pressing metrics.
On the final day of the 2021-22 season. Leeds’ brush with the drop saw two relegation release clauses negotiated into Aaronson’s deal: one to leave permanently for a set fee; another to leave on a free loan provided a top division club covered the wages. Those clauses were activated once Leeds were relegated after the 2022-23 season. And so Aaronson will spend the season at Union, who are covering his salary but have no new purchase option. The 22-year-old’s release clause is only active if Leeds remain in the Championship.
A loan to Union may suit all parties. The German club made it clear in their pursuit that Aaronson would be a key addition and will have a pivotal role; it was enough to win the race ahead of Fulham and other clubs looking to bring him on loan. Aaronson’s fit in the Bundesliga in general should be snug, even more so for a high-pressing Union team. The lure of the Champions League was strong as well — and he has made a promising start already, scoring in a friendly against Hungarian side Zalaegerszeg, and featuring in two other pre-season games for the German club.
Had Leeds avoided relegation and Aaronson stayed, the club would have looked for him to work on his physical conditioning before the start of next season. Aaronson is extremely fit, with good levels of stamina, but the English top flight found him too easy to bully; a robust division in which his lack of strength was apparent.
49ers Enterprises plan to redevelop 'decaying' ER
The Daily Mail are suggesting that 49ers Enterprises are planning on a £200m redevelopment plan of Elland Road, extending its capacity from 36,000 to 55,000. The right-wing tabloid, who describe our spiritual home as 'decaying' believe Leeds can bridge the gap between the income currently generated at LS11, compared to that from the likes of Spurs. The North London, outfit built a brand new state of the art Stadium four years ago, which generates £5m every match day, five time more than Leeds. It's a lot of money to spend. Surely, they'd be better off building a new stadium?
The Americans quickly got to work. Aside from promotion, the priority is Elland Road. Currently, Leeds bank £1m each matchday at their decaying home. That puts them £4m behind Tottenham. It should not be like this. Love them or hate them - and many do - facts are facts. Leeds has 24,000 season ticket holders. There are 20,000 more on a waiting list. Plans are being drawn up to increase capacity to 55,000 with a raft of new corporate hospitality offerings in revamped east and north stands. That gap to Spurs will be bridged."
Much-needed redevelopment, which was effectively on hold under Radrizzani, is, all of a sudden, gathering pace. Planning consultants have started work. Designs have been drawn up. Costs have been estimated at £200m. The money is there, as is the expertise.
...That Ayling goal and "You couldn't script it 
" - Dirty Leeds B@stard.