Leeds United set for signings amid ‘influential’ Gretar Steinsson verdict after Everton and Tottenham roles – Fabrizio Romano
Leeds United have plans to continue with the incoming transfer business following Ethan Ampadu’s arrival, with new technical director Gretar Steinsson set to be a key component in the process, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Welsh international Ampadu, 22, came in from Chelsea last week (19 July) for an initial £7million the day after Steinsson was appointed to help fill the role left vacant by Victor Orta’s departure last season.
The former Iceland international is now set to be “influential” at Elland Road after experience elsewhere in the Premier League, with plenty more business required before the window closes.
Romano told GIVEMESPORT of more business to come: “Yeah, I’m sure also because now they have Gretar Steinsson as new director, who will be one of the people who gets to be influential at the club joining after his experiences at Everton and Tottenham, so they will have someone else who’s going to help bring in new players.
“And yes, the idea is to sign more players. For sure, the Ampadu deal is done, it will include the sell on clause for Chelsea.”
Speed up
Leeds United have now got who they believe are the right people in the right positions, but it is a long way through the summer and only one signing as been made.
Exits are continuing all the same with Max Wober now set to join the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and Rasmus Kristensen as signings in the past year who have taken advantage of loan-exit clauses in their contracts following relegation.
The Whites want to keep key men such as Willy Gnonto and Tyler Adams at the club, but the same was expected of Wober until he was suddenly absent for the 2-0 defeat to Monaco on Saturday night (22 July), as he now heads to Borussia Monchengladbach [The Athletic, 23 July].
So Steinsson is going to need to get up and running fast, and ready to liaise with Daniel Farke and Nick Hammond, to start filling the gaps left by those who have already left, and sorting contingency plans should others yet follow.
In the German former Norwich boss they have got a manager who knows how to win in the Championship but he will need the right players to do it with.
The transfer window may not be until 1 September but the first game of the league season is now just a fortnight away when Cardiff City visit Elland Road on 6 August, so Steinsson, Farke and the rest of the recruitment department have their work cut out in the immediate future.
In other Leeds United news, a “done deal” has been reached in the race to sign a player the Whites like enough to spend £8.6million on.