'Very, very close' – Sky Sports journalist claims Leeds on brink of securing major deal

Leeds United fans are still waiting for confirmation of a new deal for manager Marcelo Bielsa, despite the players being back in training.

Bielsa himself has been spotted in the new Adidas training kit in Leeds but he is technically working for free at the moment after his contract expired at the end of last season.

However, a new deal is "very, very close now" according to Sky Sports journalist Tim Thornton.

On the latest TransferTalk podcast, Thornton told Leeds fans not to panic.

"No need to panic, no worry, it is a process with Marcelo Bielsa.

"First and foremost, at the end of the season, he didn't want to discuss his future, he thought it was good to celebrate promotion, which is quite novel.

"He thought it was important to have a break, to soak it up, to enjoy it before he focussed on the next challenge.

"So he did that, and certainly for the first few days after Leeds were promoted it was off the agenda, but talks have been taking place, it's very, very close, but it is a process.

"It was the same last season as well. It's not a concern but it does take a little bit of time... but it's very, very close."

Bielsa time

We're not concerned about a new deal for Bielsa. He's been seen wearing the new Adidas training kit and he's been talked about by new signings such as Joe Gelhardt.

However, the time it's taking to sign the new deal has taken us by surprise.

We thought it would be sorted by the time players were back in training at Thorp Arch.

So far, however, the players have just been put through basic fitness training.

Bielsa should make an appearance at Thorp Arch next week, to begin the tactical assault on the Premier League, and we do expect a new deal with the manager to be announced very soon.

He is technically working for free at the moment and fans of other clubs might think that's cause for concern – especially after Barcelona, who Bielsa was linked with, lost 8-2 in the Champions League.

Not for us, though. The biggest surprise this summer would be if he walked from the club he's made his own over the last 24 months.

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