Jesse Marsch on Leeds United striker hunt, Charles De Ketalaere and left-back need - YEP 20/7/22

-


Jesse Marsch says Leeds United have moved on to fresh striker targets but says Charles De Ketelaere is not a transfer dead end just yet for the Whites.

By Graham Smyth

The versatile Belgian striker has been top of Victor Orta’s list for a centre forward vacancy in Marsch’s squad, as Leeds attempt to provide competition and back-up for Patrick Bamford.

But AC Milan have moved into prime position, with the 21-year-old keen on a move to San Siro to join the Serie A champions.

Marsch’s expectation is that De Ketelaere will indeed go elsewhere, so Orta is working on alternative options.

"The striker one, I think it’s been well documented that De Ketelaere was a goal of ours and it’s not finished yet with him,” said Marsch.

"But we’ve also moved on to some other targets trying to figure out which would be the best fit if in the end, which is what we believe, he will not be available.”

As for left-back, Leeds went into the summer window content to stick with Junior Firpo as their first choice and Marsch has been giving Leif Davis a chance to impress during pre-season, with Pascal Struijk and Leo Hjelde also providing potential cover in that position.

But a two-month injury layoff for Firpo, who had a difficult first season in the Premier League due to Covid-19, niggles and form, has sent Leeds back into the market to address that need.

“I’d say we're actively pursuing both positions,” said Marsch.

"[At] left-back, we have a few different candidates and we’re just trying to evaluate exactly where we are with the roster and what exactly we need.”

Leeds completed the seventh signing of the summer on Tuesday when Sonny Perkins moved to link up with the 21s after the expiry of his West Ham United contract.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more