A look at the latest Leeds United news on Sunday, June 11.
Regis Le Bris Contract clause comes to light
Leeds United were dealt a blow in their reported pursuit of Lorient boss Regis Le Bris last week. The French coach was linked with a move to OGC Nice after impressing with Les Merlus last season.
Both Nice and Lorient had not yet agreed a compensation package for Le Bris, and Foot Mercato claims no agreement was ever in place, a contrasting claim from reports earlier in the week which suggested a deal was almost complete.. Mohamed Toubache-Ter claims Lorient have a €5 million release clause inserted into Le Bris' current contract at the club, which may mean all is not lost for Leeds United.
The Whites have also been linked with the likes of Scott Parker, Daniel Farke, Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard since the departure of Sam Allardyce.
Leeds United managerial 'target' holds preliminary talks with Celtic to replace Ange Postecoglou
Celtic have held talks with reported Leeds United managerial target Daniel Farke. The German head coach is out of work after leaving Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach earlier this month after just one season in charge, finishing 10th.
Sky Germany journalist Fliran Plettenberg claims Celtic have held initial discussions with the German, who is set to travel to Elland Road for talks next. Farke was in charge of Norwich City has experience of British football with Norwich City, leading the Canaries to the Premier League by winning the title in 2018-19.
Farke is under consideration to replace Ange Postecoglou at the Celts - who left to take up the vacant managerial role at Tottenham Hotspur last week. The 46-year-old learned his trade under Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund and forged a reputation for playing attacking, high energy football in East Anglia.
Plettenberg tweeted: "Excl. News #Farke: Talks with @CelticFC ! Celtic very interested in signing him as a replacement for Postecoglou. First talks took place. #CelticFC Next option: @leeds confirmed. But not advanced yet. Could change next week. Farke, ready to take over a new club now!"
49ers Enterprises' first Leeds United transfer priority clear following Allardyce and Gracia gripes
49ers Enterprises probably didn’t expect to be collecting the keys to a Championship club this summer when they voiced their initial takeover intentions. The American investment group are said to have agreed a deal to buy Leeds United from Andrea Radrizzani as a Premier League outfit only for things to be rapidly readjusted upon the club’s relegation.
Nevertheless, the news filtered through on Friday evening that a deal had been struck with an Athletic report claiming the deal valued Leeds at around £170m, which is around £300m less than what it would have been in the top flight. That means Leeds, as a club, can now focus their energy on putting the necessary measures in place this summer in order to get ready for the start of the new season.
A head coach is the priority, but recruitment isn’t far behind and major changes are expected when it comes to playing personnel after dropping out the top tier. Promotion is the aim, of course, but some key men won’t be sticking around for the ride.
Illan Meslier coy on Leeds United future but insistent key factor must come into play
Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has kept his cards close to his chest regarding his future at Elland Road. The 23-year-old is reportedly a target for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur this summer, following the Whites' relegation to the Championship.
The French youth international, who is currently on International duty with France's U21s side, says he would only move to become number one and playing remains a priority. Meslier was dropped by Sam Allardyce following his arrival at Elland Road, in an attempt to take the young shot stopper out of the firing line and shore up the Whites' back line.
Joel Robles replaces the Whites shot stopper, but was unable to help steer Leeds to safety. Like many of the current crop of Whites' players, question marks remain over Meslier's future at the club.
He told RMC Sport: "It's complicated. Really it's complicated. When you get out of a situation that is ours - I don't know if you've seen the coach - our club is in the process of being bought out by Saint Francisco 49ers so suddenly there are a lot of unknowns."
