 Leeds United have today confirmed a minority investment in the club which will see 10% go to new investors.
The new investment group is fronted by NFL giants the San Francisco 49ers, who have today confirmed a purchase of just above 10% of the club. The deal, which sees the American firm in control of the NFL Frsnchise pay the club £10million for the share option. The money is set to be reinvested in the club and could possibly be used to confirm the signings of Kyle Bartley and Abel Hernandez. Andrea Radrizanni will remain majority owner of Leeds and stay on as Chairman but the move will see President of 49ers Enterprises Paraag Matathe join the Leeds United board. The VP of football operations will join Ivan Bravo, Angus Kinnear, Radrizanni and Andre Tegner in overseeing all decisions. This is the second time the club have been involved with the 49ers, with senior officials travelling to Leeds to give advice on football operations back in 2014. However, no investment had been agreed and this was said to be just a partnership to gain experience instead of a financial investment. With the club set for their new partnership, the rumoured preseason tour of America could not be a valid option. If Marathe and co believe the club can show a broader and more successful portfolio, there’s a chance they’ll want to show off their new toy. Let’s hope the deal gives the club the shot in the arm it needs this summer. By Ryan Ingham
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 A season that promised so much for Leeds United once again failed to live up to the hope and expectations that everyone at the club would have set out at the start of the campaign back in August 2017. Former Spanish international Thomas Christiansen was installed as manager and the optimism around Elland Road was certainly high, especially as back in September of last year the club was sitting top of the Championship after a 3-2 win over Ipswich. However, things quickly turned sour for the man who at one time was on Barcelona’s books, and on 4 February he was sacked by owner Andrea Radrizzani after a poor run of results saw the club slide down the table. That meant it was time to install another fresh face in what must be one of the warmest managerial hot seats in the country. The next incumbent was Paul Heckingbottom, who made the short journey over from fellow Championship outfit Barnsley.  The former Barnsley boss could only guide Leeds to 13th in the table, and some quarters will feel that this final position might not be enough for him to be in the job by the time the first ball is kicked in the 2018/19 season.
That said, I think it is fair to say that Leeds need some form of stability, and ultimately that starts at the top. Should Heckingbottom be in charge and, more importantly, be backed over the course of the summer, then there is no reason why Leeds cannot challenge next time around. The fact that they were top for a short amount of time last season does at least suggest that the quality that Leeds require to mount a promotion challenge is there – it just needs the right man to unlock it. If that is to happen, then they could well be deemed good value in terms of a promotion bet for next season. The Championship market on Stakers is set to be wide open, and the odds on offer for Leeds look favourable. Football is ultimately a results-driven business, and if they go against Leeds, then Radrizzani will no doubt consider the employment status of the man he installed earlier in the year. However, if Heckingbottom is also moved on, then there can only be a sense of déjà vu around the club. Though the opening of the transfer window could well be key for Leeds, in fairness the current boss has by and large been working with players that are not necessarily his, and he will now look to mould this Leeds squad into one that he can truly call his own. This may mean a large amount of personnel changes at Elland Road over the summer, both in and out, but should the financial backing come, it could well see Leeds competing in the top half of the table. There is no doubting that the Championship is a cut-throat league, and in any given year there are at least 12 teams that will consider themselves worthy of at least a play-off place, but if Leeds can get things right in this off-season, then they will certainly be among that dozen. What do you think Leeds need to do this summer? Have your say in the comments below.  Leeds look set to challenge Rangers for the signing of talented forward Harry Wilson.
Both clubs look set to lock horns as they vie for the signature of the Welsh wizard who is coming off a brilliant spell with Hull City. Wilson, who is blessed with both skill and pace made a huge difference to the Tigers, who were set for a nail bitting finish before the youth foster joined on loan. The 21-year old made an instant impact for the Championship strugglers, scoring an impressive seven goals in 13 appearances, adding three assists to his tally along the way. However, club legend Steven Gerrard is set to bend the ear of the clubs board in order to try and sign the forward in front of Leeds. Liverpool as said to want an initial fee of £250,000 and an agreement that could penalise any potential suitors should Wilson not feature in enough games. Wilson is capable of playing in several positions across the attacking role and could be a very versatile option for Leeds, who will be hoping to add goals and Championship experience this summer. This is the third potential deal that sees Leeds and the Scottish giants lock horns with deals for Oli McBurnie, Kyle Bartley and now Wilson all said to include a tug of war across the border. Would Wilson be a good signing? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Latest rumours suggest that Leeds United could be set to make a move for former Brighton stopper David Stockdale.
This is not the first time the club have courted the stopper, with a move for Stockdale unravelling at the last second last summer. Stockdale chose a move to Birmingham and has been a mainstay in goal for the Championship strugglers. However, the 32-year old has now been informed he is free to leave the club this summer by former Whites manager Garry Monk. It is believed that the current wages north of £13k a week could be the reason why Birmingham are said to move him on. The question remains, if Stockdale is to join; will he be the number 1? In most fans opinion, probably not. A brilliant keeper with bags of experience, Stockdale would be a great signing for most Championship clubs, but with the emergence of Bailey Peacock-Farrell, is he really needed? The 21-year old has been a revelation since replacing Felix Wiedwald between the sticks and it would be a shock should he once again lose his place in the squad. Would you like to see Stockdale join or are you happy with BPF between the sticks? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Leeds United could be set to lose out on one of their brightest young talents.
Rumours are swirling that indicate Everton are highly interested in swooping in for Leeds starlet Tom Pearce. Pearce left the Everton academy four years ago in order to further his development, but it sounds as though the Toffees would like to bring him back to Merseyside. Pearce emerged late in the season as a viable option for Leeds, making five appearances for the first team in the latter stages of the campaign. Everton have visions of the 20-year-old Pearce as the potential successor at left back to the aging Leighton Baines. Bournemouth are another Premier League side with registered interest, as manager Eddie Howe has made signing a new left back a priority heading into the summer window. While there are many betting sites to choose from, most of them won’t list Everton as a legitimate Premier League contender next season without a dramatic roster overhaul this summer. Adding a little-known player like Pearce wouldn’t do much to improve those odds, but the Ormskirk-born player would still be a potential upgrade on the left side of the defense in the long term.  With news that Matej Vydra could be set to depart Derby, could he be the perfect man for Leeds?
The talented forward time at Pride Park is said to be up with the Rams falling out of the playoff second leg loss to Fulham. According to the Nottingham Post, it now seems that Derby boss Gary Rosetta has been informed he must trim the fat on a very large wage budget at the club if he is to make moves in the summer transfer window. One player that looks likely depart is Vydra, who joined on a very healthy contract from Premier League side Watford back in 2016. The Czech international has been one of Derby’s star players, scoring an impressive 22 league goals and contributing 4 assists in the 17/18 season. Now at 26-years old and having spent the last six years in English football, Vydra could be the perfect man to lead the line for Leeds. However, the deal to sign Vydra could be extremely costly. With two years remaining on his current deal, Derby are in no rush to make a deal happen and are looking to recoup all of the £8million that Vydra cost back in 2016. Quick, skilful and able to link up play, Vydra would be impeccable if he’s allowed to rather partner Kemar Roofe upfront or allow for Samu Saiz, Alioski and Hernandez to create a dynamic front four. Whether a deal can be done is only a guess at this time, but the signing of Vydra would clearly give the Leeds fans what they want in a front man. Would you like to see Vydra join the Whites? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Leeds have entered the race for talented midfielder Leo Stulac.
The goal scoring midfielder is currently close to a move to Seria A giants Genoa but could see his move derailed by the English club. According to football insider, the Whites are looking to hijack Genoa’s bid in order to secure the midfielders services. The Venezia midfielder is currently playing his trade in Seria B but could see a fruitful season turn into a potential life altering switch to Seria A or England. Having only made 20 appearances this season, Stulac has still been able to contribute six goals and four assists from the holding midfield position. The Slovenian midfielder is strong on the ball and able to not only win the ball back but push forward in order to create chances. The 23-year old is now out of contract with Venezia meaning the deal would be a low risk move for Leeds, who are attempting to spend smart this summer window. Does Stulac seem like a good piece of business? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Paul Heckingbottom may have found his first man to join the club in the summer.
Free agent Andy Yiadom is said to be high on the head coach’s list of potential additions and now the club are free to move ahead. With the Championship season now over (apart from them pesky playoffs we’d prefer not to talk about) Leeds are free to get a deal across the table for Yiadom who has already stated he won’t be staying at Barnsley. The 26-year old will not command any fee due to him being available for a bosman transfer and over the age of compensation currently still 24. The pacy full back who can also star as a midfielder is known for his blistering pace and ability to track back from forward positions. However, with Leeds currently boasting five full backs in their squad with Lewie Coyle also to return from a superb loan spell at Fleetwood, it is unsure whether the Leeds United transfer committee will green light the deal. Yiadom may not cause a high financial constraint but the club are currently looking to streamline their squad and signing another full back may not make financial sense. With the talented Bryce Hosannah signing a new deal at the club, the committee may see a potential youngster filling the void should he be called upon. If Yiadom does join, Leeds receive a Championship proven full back who is versatile and adds the squad depth we need but apparently don’t want. Would you like to see Yiadom join? Or should Leeds continue to adapt a squad streamline? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham |
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