Good Morning. It's Thursday 13th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road ER Journalist rubbishes FFP claim Recent reports suggesting Leeds hands are tied due to financial fair play have been rubbished by Beren Cross. The Leeds-Live journalist even suggests that the Whites could spend near on 100m before having to worry about FFP issues. “I read the report around the FFP issues, but it's not something I've come across myself. Kieran Maguire, a very well regarded expert in football finances, put something some research in November on how much each club had to spend in January and he calculated Leeds United had up to £99m to spend before running into FFP issues. “If there were monetary issues, one of the modern trends with permanent transfers is to now declare a permanent signing, when the small print might say the first year of the deal is technically a loan before becoming permanent in year two of the contract.” please log in to view this image Leeds lining up bid for Fofana Leeds are believed to be lining up a bid for Ivory Coast International Seko Fofana. The 26yo midfielder currently applies his trade with Ligue 1 outfit Lens, but started his career at the Etihad, before they sold him on to Udinese in 2016 for 2.5m. It is believed a fee of around 14m would be enough to tempt the French outfit. It seems Leeds may have joined the party too late. Burnley have already held talks with Lens about his availability, whilst Newcastle have also been strongly linked. please log in to view this image Contract talks with Raphinha are ongoing Contract talks between Leeds Utd, Raphinha and his agent Deco, are on going according to Leeds journalist Beren Cross. The inspirational Brazilian International has two and a half years left on his four year contract, yet the Whites are keen to secure the value of one of their biggest assets, and would like to tie him down for an additional couple of years. Cross even suggests that Raphinha's price tag could soar even higher if he has a good World Cup in December! “Contract talks between Leeds and Deco, Raphinha's agent, are ongoing. There is confidence a deal can be struck and the Brazilian will move onto terms which accurately reflect his status at the club and in the league. “Raphinha is not making life difficult for anyone in any way around this deal. Naturally, I cannot predict the future or what Raphinha's camp may choose to do, but the noises are positive and it would suit all parties to sign a new deal and secure his value. “Evidently, there is going to be plenty of interest in him this summer, whether he signs a new contract or not. It will be two full seasons under his belt and clubs will feel they can tempt him away after proving himself at this level in a new country. “Leeds will of course only sell at the price they are happy with. Whether that's in the summer, next January or summer 2023 remains to be seen. “Do not overlook what the World Cup may do to his value if he's still a Leeds player by then.” please log in to view this image
Morning all I’d imagine Raphinha contract talks would be a lot easier if we were further up the table, I’m guessing release fee clauses would be the stumbling block. I just think it’s poor that we haven’t sorted out any kind of signings who could start a game for us. Something isn’t right, it’s either money/finances or Bielsa saying they’re not good enough. It must be super tricky as well for Radz running a January transfer budget and plan when you don’t know if your coach is going to be here in 6 months time. Gesa broke the news first a couple or so days back but I’m now reading Bamford and Rodrigo could be back for this weekend. If both are available one half each maybe?
If Bamford and Rodrigo are fit for Sunday I’d start them both …………………………Meslier……………………… ……….Ayling………..….Koch……………..Hjelde.. …………………………Forshaw……………………. ………………….Klich……………Dallas…………… Raphinha…………….Rodrigo……………….James ……………….……….Bamford……………………….
Morning all Fofana is just another name journos have dug up just like Aina, and yes he stories may have substance but are they likely? Not sure buying a player who could be away for a month at the African Cup is a non starter literally. As posted yesterday Most teams at the bottom are bringing in new players and Everton and Villa are spending big, and we know Newcastle will spend even bigger. You also have new managers involved at Watford and hes already brought 3 new players in, Newcastle 3, Everton 3 and more players to come say each of these managers. Norwich also have a new coach and expected to be involved in the market, Burnley have a new owner and Dyche just signed a new deal so guessing he will be in the market after selling Chris Wood but Leeds really need to pull their fingers out because I dont think its straightforward this season just thinking the bottom 3 clubs will be relegated. Usually we look at teams like Palace and Southampton and Brighton but they are all playing well and picking up points and all over the 20 point mark for half way safety. Villa spent big last season and this season and are spending even bigger right now. Brentford started really well and may fall into trouble but we need to be careful
Morning all the way i see things is we will clear some out end of season. So for now perhaps just the one signing is possible. Kinnear will have his say and keep his eye on the spending. I would be happy with a midfielder coming in soon. As i see it we need him for the last ten games and not this month. I still think we can get apoint on Sunday as 2e should have scored in the cup. The spammers were not that much better than us. Newcastle will be a tricky one now they have wood. So a point would be fine that game too. Last two seasons we have gone well last few games. Other middle of the table sides seem to ease off as players have eyes on their future. Bielsa demands we do not slack and he's not afraid to sub anyone not committed. So called experts say he could not handle players like man city have. I for one would like to see him try. So if he is staying increase the squad size and benefit the whole of our teams. I am with the club for not paying fifty million for one player. Raph has gone up in value and must be worth considerably more than james.
On the FFFP rules you only have to go back to the resumption of last season, where the Premier League and the EFL all said the same thing: “Club accounts can be different for a while and may be done in 3 pieces because of the close down. Pre pandemic closedown and resumption. FFFP will now not be counted against any club because of the extraordinary event. Normal service will be resumed in maybe 2 seasons”
Our net spend this summer was £43 million, Villa's was £-7 million. The previous season our net spend was £98 million, Villa's was £77 million. I make that £71 million more net spend than Villa over the last three windows. FFP also gives us £99 million to spend over the next three windows, which is an ok budget but less than a lot of fans want to see us spend. Sure Radz could spend more, but we'd have to sell Raphinha or Phillips.
We cannot ever forget that both teams in the Championship play off final were both proven cheats. Villa got promoted and the Premier League have not dealt with them as they said they would because of the pandemic. Derby have now been sanctioned but because Villa went up they have got away with it
Did I just see £25m for Chris Wood to Newcastle????? Surely that was a typo and should be £2.5M at most.
I really hope so at that price. A good player but he is 30 and hardly prolific, The ginger minger must have been rubbing his hands with glee. He can buya whole new team now, Wish Cornetto had joined us though.
