Good Morning. It's Thursday 15th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road…
One stumbling block in the way of Rodon's £10m-£15m transfer
Multiple back page stories are suggesting Spurs have set Leeds a very affordable £10m - £15m asking price for Joe Rodon, but there is one obstacle in their way.
The Welsh International is only interested in making the move permanent if Leeds win promotion! The 26yo centre-back has been in the form of his life this season, and is well on the way to 3500 minutes of game time this season (for club and Country).
His performance on the pitch have not gone unnoticed. Most clubs in the bottom half of the top flight would give their right arm to have him at their club, especially for such a negligible amount, but if Leeds can win promotion, he wants to stay.
Anything less than £30m would not make financial sense
Leeds are open to the idea of selling Jack Harrison in the Summer, even if they get promoted, according to an article by Journalist Pete O'Rourke.
The 27 year old has made a real impact at Goodison Park since joining on loan last August. Everton have already expressed their desire to make the move permanent, and now they may get their wish.
The emergence in form of Crysencio Summerville, Wilfred Gnonto and Dan James has meant the Whites no longer have a need for Harrison - nevertheless, he remains one of Leeds Utd's Crown Jewells.
He signed a new four year deal last April, tying him down until the Summer of 2028. This should at least put Leeds in the driving seat, and negotiate a decent profit!
He joined the Whites from Manchester City in the Summer of 2021 for £11m, plus £9m in loan fee's from the previous three campaigns. We know Everton have no money - we didn't even receive a loan fee for him.
Any offer that the Toffee's make is likely to be well under market value, but will Leeds buckle under the pressure like they have done so many times before? Any deal less than £30m would be scandalous, and surely not make financial sense!
Radz tried to renege on Raphinha deal
During a recent interview, Deco has claimed that Andrea Radrizzani tried to renege on a promise to sell Raphinha to Barcelona, after Chelsea tried to hijack the deal!
The former Portuguese star was acting as Raphinha's agent, but just wanted to make Raphinha's dream come true (of joining Barcelona), and even waived his fee to try to make it happen.
In truth, many consider Deco a parasite. It has been suggested that the 46yo had more than a vested interest in Raphinha joining Barcelona, and as such should not have been acting as his agent.
Football is a dirty game, especially behind the scenes, and agents blur the lines even further. Radrizzani wanted to sell his prized asset to the highest bidder, as is his right, wouldn't anyone else do the same?
Leeds wanted to sell Raphinha. Then bids came in, even bigger than Barcelona’s. The owner of Chelsea [Todd Boehly] called, put pressure on me, really wanted Raphinha. The owner of Leeds had promised, in a desperate moment for Leeds, to sell Raphinha to Barcelona for a certain amount.
After the club avoided relegation, largely due to Raphinha’s contribution, the president changed his stance because of Chelsea’s offer. I did waive my fee because I thought Raphinha deserved to be happy where he dreamed of playing. He wanted Barcelona. It was an effort I made so he could be here.
