Good Morning. It's Friday 27th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road McKennie clears out locker, but destination unknown Conflicting reports about Weston McKennie's future, dominate the headlines (where it matters) this morning. The 24yo has been strongly linked with a £26m move to Elland Road this week. We know he has agreed personal terms and Orta has been locked in negotiations with the Juve hierarchy for several days ironing out the finer details. It would therefor come as no surprise, when waking up this morning to read that Leeds have bridged the gap with 'the Old Lady', McKennie has cleared out his locker, and the Elland Road medical team are on stand-by. Things are rarely that straight forward for Leeds. Opposing the above story, several media outlets are suggesting that Arsenal are trying to hijack the deal, and have tabled a £26m bid of their own. The Gunners are an attractive proposition. They have extended their lead at the top the Premier League by five points, and have at least a game in hand over their competition. Not many players have the opportunity to win a Premier League title, and given the opportunity, McKennie would be stupid not to consider it. Just to confuse Leeds fans even more, a third source are claiming that Leeds initial bid was lower than first claimed, and negotiations are progressing slowly. Gazzetta dello Sport now claim that Leeds have offered just £22m for McKennie, and have a way to go before reaching agreement with Juventus. Time is running out. We can understand Leeds don't want to pay over the odds, I'm sure we all remember what happened with Cody Gakpo in the Summer. please log in to view this image Bielsa lands in London ahead of crunch talks with Moshiri Marcelo Bielsa has arrived in London ahead of crunch talks with a delegation led by Everton owner owner Farhad Moshiri. He was pictured arriving at Heathrow Airport late yesterday looking none worse for wear for his 14 hour flight from Buenos Aires; infact, the 67yo has shed a few stone since we last saw him. It is believed that Bielsa is still Moshiri's No 1 choice, and should he fail in his bid to land the Argentine, Dyche is next in line. This is reflected by Sky Bet who posted their new odds at 7am this morning:- Marcelo Bielsa. 5/6 Sean Dyche. 11/10 Davide Ancelotti. 12/1 Nuno Espirito Santo. 20/1 Ralph Hasenhuttl. 20/1 Thomas Frank 20/1 Let's be honest with ourselves. Bielsa isn't going to jet 4,500 miles around the World just to have a cosy chat with the Everton supremo. The reality of the situation is, assurances have already been made, and we should expect to see him in the opposite dugout when Leeds visit Goodison Park in three weeks time. please log in to view this image Harrison wants new deal at ER Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett has taken to social media to rubbish reports that Jack Harrison is on his way to the King Power Stadium this month. Harrison has been in inconsistent form this season, yet has turned on the style in recent performances, playing in a more central role. Leeds will be aware that the 27yo has less than 18 months left on his contract, but Dorsett insists that he is wants to stay at Elland Road, and extend his contract. Dorsett also claims that Leeds are not keen to sell him to a relegation rival. Dorsett tweeted: “Leicester City interested in Leeds United's Jack Harrison as they search for a winger. Leeds don’t want to sell, especially to a relegation rival, and I’ve been told Harrison keen to agree new contract at Elland Road. Currently has 18 months left. Brazilian Tete likely to be half the cost for Leicester.” please log in to view this image
Morning all. If I was McKennie, i'd be too tempted to go to Arsenal for selfish reasons. I think we all would, so hopefully this will be sorted soon and we miss out on a player and go for someone else if this hijack story is actually true. Not too sure about Harrison. If he played the best he can consistantly, then I would have a different opinion. Regarding Bielsa. Personally I never want him to manage in the Premiership whilst we are in it. I know that sounds ridiculous, but despite his bad ending, he will still be a legend in my eyes, and never want to play him in the same league as another one of his teams. My fingers are crossed about Dyche news that I've just literally heard on Talk Sport (Although I take most stories in TS with a pinch of salt!)
McKennie is a statement signing. If we pull that off it will be an amazing capture. The American influence will have captured his imagination for sure. I'm 50/50 on Harrison. He's coming to his peak, he's not necessarily first choice but he's had a poor season yet still has 4 assists and a goal to his name. If the price is right it might be time to cash in. I hope Bielsa stays away tbh. I love the guy but he said he'd never take charge of another club in Argentina because of his affiliation with Newells. I kinda hoped he'd have that over here with us to cement his legacy at Leeds. I also detest Everton after they bricked our coach in 1990 (our first game back in division 1). I was 10 years old and terrified as the glass came through. Set of ****s. I've not liked scousers ever since. Breaking news as I type is that Bielsa looks to have turned it down and would rather take over in the summer.
On Bielsa, Im not bothered either way. It's in exact same vein as KP going to city. Both integral parts of a promotion winning side and will be rightly revered for that like other members of that crew. However players and managers move on and I for one couldn't give a toss how they do professionally when they moved on. All that matters to me is getting three points when we go to Everton same as any other game. Re the McKennie transfer. It's a pity these things can't be conducted a lot quicker. We seem to take weeks to tie up deals, giving other clubs amble time to hijack the deals. Beginning to happen a little too often for my liking. Does Victor travel by bus to these countries to negotiate
Morning all The McKennie story has rumbled on for too long now. There's a clearly a stumbling block between us and Juve. The board wants the deal done as soon possible so I reckon it will be done on Tuesday or we go for our 3rd choice in that list. I couldn't care less where Bielsa is manager. He was an employee of the club and he was fired by the club. Bielsa has a choice on where his next job but I feel sorry Everton having to deal with him and his tactics. They put him in charge and they'll be relegated by May 2024. If Harrison wanted a new contract he would have signed one in the summer when we offered him one. He's sitting there waiting for Newcastle to come in and get him.
Bielsa jetting in to talk to Everton are not the actions a of a man who was allegedly not going to renew his contract with us and retire last summer. Total bullshit fed to the media by the club to try and justify their decison to sack him I'd say.
Morning all Pretty much what everyone prior has said, I'm 50/50 with Jack, I wouldn't want him being amongst the top paid, he isn't worth it but he is a squad player who adds the depth we keep complaining we haven't got. McKennie seems to want to play alongside his mate Adams, picking us over Arsenal will be a huge statement. I still think everything is pointing towards the 49ers being in total control soon, maybe he has also been sold the dream and what the 49ers have planned Hadn't thought about that myself. Maybe he has a point to prove to everyone that he can and would have had enough in the tank to avoid relegation.
Maybe Bielsa just came to watch the Accrington game, never having been in the 4th round of the FA cup, and Everton paid for his flights.
I’m glad he turned it down too but even though I wouldn’t want Dyche at Leeds I’ve no doubt he’ll save Everton from the drop.
I reckon Bielsa being the gent he is, flew in and gave a four hour presentation on why he isn't the man to keep Everton up and recommended they go for Dyche Morning all
My thought on Harrison the same as yours. Leeds miss out on a bigger fee and Jack gets a big pay rise.
To me jack is now surplus behind gnonto.. Sinner.. Summerville and Aaronson who i class as a wide player. Jack probably the slower too and still keeps the ball too long. Yes he did ok v cardiff at home but could not find a way to break Brentford. I wanted to see him in the central role as i thought he might be the missing link. Maybe gnonto will become our new no10.
On Harrison the guy wants a big pay rise and a long contract. I don’t rate him as high as he rates himself so not bothered either way. He can go for me if he is trying to strongarm a big new contract because he hasn’t deserved a pay rise for last season and this. Bielsa landed at 07:30 yesterday and met Moshiri just after lunch but no idea how it went or what time it ended or if a new session planned for today. He would have been given some assurances for him to fly from Buenes Aries to London. Yes he is liable to not get exactly what he wanted so could be game over but will not be surprised if he takes it. As far as his relationship with Leeds fans is concerned he loves them. But the directors not so much and why he has refused to talk to them regarding naming TA after him, he ain’t happy at all.
