Leeds United transfer update: 49ers want to ‘show their teeth’ after takeover, exit-bound players may stay at Elland Road
The takeover at Leeds United could be set to help the club keep hold of players as the 49ers want to “show their teeth” in the transfer market, according to Beren Cross.
The 100% buy out of Andrea Radrizzani is set to provide a boost during the window this summer as the Italian was only prepared to spend what was raised through sales, as was the case a year ago with the departures of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.
But with various first-team players expected to go thanks to relegation, the new regime want to “push the boat out” and have been tipped to help keep some exit-bound names at Elland Road.
Cross wrote in his Leeds Live Q&A: “We are led to believe Radrizzani would have only spent what was raised over the summer if he had stayed, while 49ers are hoping to push the boat out more and show their teeth in the transfer window.
“Their financial backing can only mean they have a better chance of retaining those players who may have moved on otherwise.”
Get moving
This is the sort of thing the Leeds United fans have been wanting to hear in the wake of the sale, and while the financial benefits of the handover to the new American owners will be tempered by the lack of Premier League football it is still a positive development.
Some players will be impossible to keep if they have offers, and some will surely be ushered towards the exit either way after a season where most underperformed.
But if there are potential stars of a promotion push that were otherwise on the fence and might have been necessarily sacrificed with Radrizzani in charge it would be a boost to see them stay.
While no moves have yet been made pending a decision at manager there will be a lot of catching up to do once the position is filled, with hopes that the next week should conclude the interview process [The Athletic, 14 June].
Amid the news that Tyler Adams has taken notice of the interest in his services from Premier League sides and wants to go [TEAMtalk, 13 June] it is surely now Willy Gnonto who is the one who fans would love to see stay.
There is interest in the Italian international, but were he to be convinced of a central role in the Championship season he could be key next term.
If the 49ers can get a manager in place soon and start making good on their hopes of “showing their teeth” it should inspire some renewed confidence among the squad.
It won’t be enough to convince everyone to stay but it is more evidence that the Radrizzani sale badly needed to be agreed.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have reportedly made an inquiry for the manager’s post amid competition from the Championship rival.