Good Morning. It's Tuesday 18th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Hay - White keen on ER switch if contract talks break down
Phil Hay has this morning revealed that Ben White would be keen to return to Elland Road, IF contract talks break down between him and the Brighton. Currently the Seagulls are offering the 22 year old just shy of £20,000 a week. The former Chief football writer for the YEP also revealed that Bielsa is only looking for one centre back, as Ayling and Struijk can provide cover.
They (Brighton) have tried to push White’s salary closer to the £20,000 a week mark but he has turned down their proposals. Leeds accept that if White and Brighton do agree new terms, a transfer is off the table. They also suspect that the 22-year-old leaving may depend on him forcing the issue and asking to go. He is understood to be keen on returning to Leeds if contract talks with Brighton come to nothing. And in comparison to alternatives such as Koch, he has the advantage of being Bielsa-ready.
Leeds have four more weeks before their first Premier League game and Bielsa prefers his summer signings to be on board early, to make sure they are schooled in his methods and his expectations. He wants only one centre-back, irrespective of the loss of Gaetano Berardi for most if not all of the season following an ACL injury. Luke Ayling will shift across from right-back should injuries bite.
Leeds United's highest bid for the defender remains at £22 million and are the only club to have made an official bid so far. Brighton are back at training today with manager Graham Potter keen to discuss the future with Ben White. If the White move does not look likely to happen Leeds are also keen on German international Robin Koch at Freiburg.
Leeds turn their attention to Koch
Now that hopes of signing Ben White in doubt, Leeds have turned their attention to Germany International Robin Koch. It is thought that the 24 year old is Bielsa's second choice centre back. Whats even better is he is available at half price, due to only having one year left on his contract.
According to German media outlet Kicker, Freiburg will demand at least €10 million (around £9m) for Koch as he has only one year left on his contract. Unfortunately for the Whites, Leeds are not the only admirers of the former Kaiserslautern player. The 6ft 3' powerhouse has a range of admirers all across Europe, including Anfield! This is bound to drive the price up!
Kinnear - Elland Road should be a 50,000 capacity
Back in April Angus Kinnear stated that, should Leeds reach promotion back to the Premiership, the club would look into the expansion of Elland Road, with a potential new capacity of 50,000. Kinnear revisited the subject recently whilst being interviewed on The Extra Ball podcast. The question posed to him, was “should Leeds have a bigger stadium”. He said...
It feels like how it should be – Arsenal have got a waiting list [for season tickets], West Ham have got a waiting list – it feels like we should have a bigger stadium, the stadium should be at 50,000 [capacity]. That is now a further part of our plans.
I think what’s also great is you have the hardcore fanbase, but it is also great for the city as well – to walk through the city and people to feel proud about what’s happened and what they’re part of. The way the club was run historically was almost a source of embarrassment for people who perhaps weren’t fans, but just didn’t have the club that the city deserved.
Leeds favourites to land Harry Wilson
Leeds have emerged as favourites to land Harry Wilson from Anfield. The attacking midfielder / winger wants regular first team football having been sent out on loan in recent times to Derby and Bournemouth. Even though the 23 year old earned himself rave reviews at the Cherries, both player and club realise that his Anfield days are over.
Liverpool have slapped a £20 million price tag on Wilson. They know that a host of Premiership clubs are monitoring the situation, and if Leeds hesitate, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Southampton are all waiting on the sidelines to step in!
It's embarrassing, especially as there's been no update since we had two bids rejected.
