Eight-figure transfer investments by Leeds United in this transfer window are not guaranteed upgrades on the club’s best youngsters, Angus Kinnear has warned.
With time ticking on the second half of this month’s window, the chief executive has addressed the big debate around new faces vs youth development at the club.
With Leo Hjelde and Lewis Bate keeping their heads above water in the two West Ham United matches, Kinnear showered them in praise in his programme notes for the Newcastle United clash.
In praising their progress and the club’s long-term vision for youth development, Kinnear addressed the elephant in the room around transfers.
While he did not rule out investment, Kinnear made it clear eight-figure transfer fees would not guarantee a footballer better than the youth already in the building.
He also underlined the keenness in the corridors of Elland Road to avoid blocking routes to the first team for the likes of Bate and Hjelde.
“We are confident we are building a long-term competitive advantage in the recruitment and development of world-class young talent,” he said.
“Central to this strategy is our ability to promise and deliver to young players a fast track to first-team football, as well as a culture where there is a belief in the process and where the players, irrespective of age, are trusted to deliver on the Premier League stage.
“This strategy clearly impacts our evaluation of transfer targets, where our analysis indicates that many January options, requiring an eight-figure investment, would not be a material improvement on the current performances of emerging players such as Bate, Hjelde and Joe Gelhardt.
“Moreover, signing other options would block such youngsters’ development and would offer nowhere near the long-term potential.”
Kinnear also made it clear moving for players in January would have a knock-on effect with the business they may look to do in the summer window.
“Simultaneously, any January activity has an opportunity cost on more optimal moves in the summer window,” he said.
“As a board, we have always tried to be transparent with supporters in the belief it is better if our recruitment strategy is disagreed with by some fans, rather than misunderstood by many.”
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