Good Morning. It's Friday 3rd June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Terms and fee agreed with Rasmus Kristensen A deal to bring Danish Internation Rasmus Kristensen looks to be a formality after it was revealed by news outlet 'Salzburger Nachrichten' that Leeds have triggered his £11.8m release clause from RB Saltzburg, and have also agreed personal terms with the right sided full back. It is expected that Kristensen is preparing to catch a flight to West Yorkshire to undergo a medical, before being unveiled at Elland Road (probably on Monday). Leeds are finally pressing forward and putting their money where their mouths should be. To sign, two players of such quality days before the transfer window even opens, (hopefully) shows they have learnt their lessons from last Summer! please log in to view this image Price tag revealed for Raphinha Elland Road journalist Phil Hay has stated that 'sources' close to Elland Road have told him, that it would take a bid in the region of £60m to £70m to let Raphinha leave Elland Road this Summer. The 25yo has just over two years left on his contract, and as such, are able to command top dollar for their Brazilian Superstar. This poses a big problem for Barcelona. The Catalan giants are desperate to sign the want-away star but after years of financial mismanagement, are potless! Whilst the Camp Nou is Raphinha's preferred destination, many top European clubs such as Liverpool are watching in the wings, ready to swoop. Should Leeds play hard ball, and wait until January, after the World Cup? If he impresses, surely, his price tag goes up, even though he'll only have 18 months left on his contract! "Sources have indicated to The Athletic that it is likely to take a bid of between £60 million and £70 million to get Raphinha out of Elland Road — potentially four times what they paid for him less than two years ago." "Barcelona are his prime suitors and the club where all the noise about Raphinha has been coming from — the club who seemed destined to sign him for many months. But the question for Barcelona is a pointed one: Can they actually afford this deal?" please log in to view this image Brereton Diaz back on Leeds radar Blackburn's Ben Brereton Diaz has reappeared on Leeds Utd's wish list. The 23yo Chilean International netted 22 times in 34 starts for the Lancashire outfit last season. An ankle injury, sustained in the New Year, (which kept him sidelined for two months) was the only obstacle between him and extending his goal tally beyond 30. Diaz only has twelve months left on his contract, and is keen to play Top Flight Football, but Blackburn are reluctant to part with their prized asset. Rovers just missed out on the play-offs last season, falling six points short of 6th place Luton Town. Interestingly, Tony Mowbray, has agreed to step down as Manager when his contract expires this Summer. This may unsettle Diaz, who has played under Mowbray since he arrived at Ewood Park in 2019. It is believed an offer in the region of £18m - £20m would be enough to convince the Lancashire outfit to part with their rising star. If it was a straight choice between Takumi Minamino and Ben Brereton Diaz, who would you choose? please log in to view this image
Morning all. So the early stories of Rapha putting in a transfer request weren't true. Would be nice to hear him and KP actually say they want to play with us next season
Morning all Kristensen sounds decent, we’ll have to wait and see, price isn’t too bad either. Raphinha fee sounds about right, we need to have news that he and KP have signed new contracts otherwise the sooner they’ve gone the better. If we manage to tie both down it would feel like two new signings as I’d convinced myself they were off. Down the the beach now for a bit of sunshine, a Keo and lunch
Plenty of Leeds shirts in evidence this week in benidorm glad to report that they put all the big 6 to shame I only saw 2 Scouse,1scum,1spurs......no citeh,arse or Chelsea....perhaps our lads/lasses where celebrating a lot more after our near miss.....the big lad from Salzburg looks a unit hopefully he fits in seamlessly
Bit of aaronson highlights from yesterday’s USA game. Just watch the second one unless you like hearing commentators shouting goal for 30 seconds. seems a fair reflection of what we’re told about him and what clips we’ve seen. Quick feet, nice control, bit of acceleration to glide past his man - lung bursting run for the goal. Will it translate to the Prem? Who knows, but I do like the look of him.
Barcelona are goosed as Este keeps informing everyone. One thing missed in the Athletic piece is that Barcelona have Christanson and Kessie already signed on freebies but they cant be registered due to player numbers and wages. So just to register these 2 another 2 players have to be sold and a chunk of the fee to pay off some of the debt. Now think about the number of players linked…..
Saw Diaz a couple of times early season, when lots were raving about him, I wasn't overly impressed, in and out of the game too much for my liking.
Xavi tells Braithwaite, Puig, Umtiti, and Mingueza they are not in Barcelona’s plans next season By Jacob Whitehead please log in to view this image Barcelona head coach Xavi has told four players — Martin Braithwaite, Riqui Puig, Samuel Umtiti, and Oscar Mingueza — that they are not in his plans for next season. Xavi insisted that he had spoken to the quartet early to allow them to have enough time to arrange their future, and that he felt “emotional” about the conversation. He also revealed that he had held similar conversations with a handful of other players, but declined to name them. “I feel bad for some, but I have to make decisions,” he declared on Saturday morning. “They would have very few opportunities, I don’t want them to be bitter. It will be hard for them to play and they will be happier at other very important clubs. It’s the reality and the decision is to say these things.” In response to a question, he then confirmed that Braithwaite, Puig, Umtiti, and Mingueza were among the players spoken to. “It was important to talk with them, so they have enough time,” Xavi said. “We have to be honest, speak to their face and let them know the club’s intentions. “They took it with a very good disposition, they made me get emotional, giving me thanks. It was very good, that’s the truth.” Having been appointed as Barcelona boss in November after Ronald Koeman was sacked, Xavi has led the team to second in La Liga, with the Catalan club looking as if they might miss out on Champions League qualification at one stage. With their European place secure, Xavi can now reshape the squad in his image. Puig, 22, and Mingueza, 23, are both products of the club’s La Masia academy. Once rated as the future of Barcelona’s midfield, Puig has seen opportunities dwindle due to the emergence of Pedri, Gavi, and Nico Gonzalez. Mingueza, a Spain international, has made 18 La Liga appearances in defence this season, with most of his starts coming under Koeman. Danish striker Braithwaite, 30, was signed from Leganes in 2020, but has since only scored five goals in 44 appearances. Umtiti, 28, has suffered due to the emergence of Ronald Araujo, who has become Xavi’s favoured partner for Gerard Pique at the heart of the Barcelona defence.
he’s got a unique style to him.. seems to run with the ball in front of him, looks out of control but often just nicks it past players. Can’t work out if it’s s bit of luck or his party trick. I was firmly on the fence, decisive in my indecisiveness about him.
2 games ain't enough I know but you just get these feelings for certain players, great 1 game, **** the next 5.
I'll reserve judgement on any new signings till they've put the leeds shirt on and played a few games for us, seems like we're buying the ****ing Salzburg team though
Back on Barcelona problems. Riqui Puig a player linked with us last summer, but a player plus cash deal for Raphinha doesnt wash. The rules say cash from player sales must go towards reducing club huge debt, so creative accountancy required if 2 or 3 players plus cash walk out of the club with no cash inbound
Good morning all I for one am very happy with the business so far,Aaronson to me looks really promising, so does Kristensen, you can always it seems do worse than a Danish man in your defence, looks a man that won't take *hit from anyone, just what we need. And how refreshing to see Leeds actually taking players on and so early, particularly after last seasons debacle. Realy looking forward to see the next who is in and who is out. We Look as though we are starting to build a team of well not exactly household names, but will be in the future, reminds me a bit dare i say it of the early Wilko days,Exciting times ahead me thinks.
Best Barcelona story so far. We need Este to confirm though: Everyone knows Pique is married to Shaquiri the fit pop star, well Pique has been having an affair, only with Gavi’s mum Gavi refusing to sign new contract
