ScratchingShed: Any truth in that Phillips to City was a done deal before the season ended, and the price of 42mil stood even if we went down?
No. City would have got him for much less in the Championship.
Tindeeppond: Do Leeds have any plans to signing with another defender?
At a first-team level, it looks unlikely.
Craig92: Any word on outgoings of our younger players? We can see quality of Gelhardt and Greenwood. With Bamford, Rodrigo, Roberts and new signing. Is it beneficial to keep Joffy and Greenwood or let them go into Championship and get game time? Same with Shackleton and Cresswell.
Would expect Gelhardt and Greenwood to stick around after last season's impacts, but there seems to be too many bodies between Cresswell and Shackleton and the first team. Would not be surprised to see them go out on loan.
Craig92: We all know Phillips and Raph are quality players. Prior to Bielsa, Phillips was struggling. People will say quality players will fit into any system. However, in the 4222 that Marsch favours would Raph and Phillips? In central attacking roles could Aaronson actually be a better fit than Raph?
There is definitely a debate to be had on Raphinha's and Phillips's suitability within Marsch's system. However, nobody can say they would not have kept them given the chance. They are outstanding footballers, proven at Elland Road, and they are hard to find. Time will tell what impact Aaronson makes.
PGTips66: Just wondered if you thought that after the sacking of Bielsa by Leeds, that both Kalvin and Rapha became despondent by Leeds lack of ambition, in other words they don’t see anything to convince them that Leeds can fight or intend to fight for a top four finish? Also is it not a worry that the club’s hierarchy haven’t done more to persuade our two best players to stay and fulfil their ambitions at Leeds or is it just a case of all their interested in is the money?
I don't think Bielsa's sacking would have signalled a lack of ambition. At that time, many of us could see the team was not in a good place, shipping goals and, to be brutally honest, heading for relegation. We will never know if he would have turned it around, so it's a moot point, but we can all at least agree the team was not in a good place. The only way I could see Leeds holding onto those two this summer after finishing 17th would have been with an entire overhaul of the playing team. I'm talking more than £500m in first-team investment plus wages to create a side which would have plainly finished in the top-six next season. That, of course, is entirely unrealistic.
These players will not be playing football forever and they need to be in the Champions League sooner rather than later. There is nothing Leeds can do to stop that ambition, especially after flirting with relegation last season. It's hard to see Leeds becoming a top-four team before either Raphinha or Phillips retire, let alone within the next two years. That elite group is so far clear it requires years and years of absolutely perfect recruitment and coaching to bridge the gap. Look at Leicester. They won the league and still can't break in there on a consistent basis.
Rich77: Hi Beren just wondering have we given up trying to sign the Argentinean striker from the MLS league? Was hoping we would sign him as our main striker.
Not led to believe he was ever a serious target for Leeds.
Msc24: Hi Beren, while I'm disappointed KP has all but gone, the fact is he wanted to leave (as does Rapha), so we sell them and build the squad. I think we are doing a good job of that so far but there is still a lot of work to do. I'd be wrapping up deals for Ben Foster and Charlie Taylor asap and then focusing on replacements for KP and Rapha (plus maybe one more forward). I understand the anger at the fee for KP but, to be frank, he had a very ordinary season when fit, if we sold him 12 months ago we'd have got at least another £10m but that's the way it goes. I'm excited by the young midfielder we are getting from City, sounds like he could be a world beater in time, fingers crossed! I'd like your thoughts on team selection for next season please, assuming it's a 4222, Roca + KP replacement then Aaronson + Harrison/James/Rodrigo/Rapha replacement then Bamford + Gelhardt/Greenwood/New Forward?
Right now: Roca and Forshaw or Phillips's replacement; Raphinha's replacement and Aaronson; Bamford and a new striker. That's assuming the names they bring in are at the level we are expecting.
Smith2022: Hello Beren. Do you know if Darko Gyabi is seen as a prospect that's likely to play in the under 23's or go out on loan, or if he is seen as a first team signing? Seems to be a lot of money if it's the former, but there seems to be little to no hype around him as the latter either. Thanks.
Given he is 18 and he has not played a huge amount in PL2 with City, my gut instinct would be he goes into the under-21s in the first instance, but with a view to swiftly applying pressure to the first-team unit. He is very highly thought of though and this window does seem to driving up prices for the country's best under-23 talent.
Philipio212: Hi Beren did we sell Kalvin cheap as a thanks for the years of cheap service he has given us?
I don't think those involved in the negotiations would ever phrase it in that way. They would not have been telling themselves we need to make this as easy as possible for City because of Kalvin's years of service. On the other hand, Leeds were not going to be obstructive. It was clear this was one of the few options which was going to turn Kalvin's head and as soon as it became clear he was interested in the move, Leeds were happy to discuss things with City. United do feel this is a good deal for the club.
Extkellru23: Would there be any chance Kalvin would turn down city or is it a done deal? did Leeds offer him a deal too?
It's effectively a done deal to City. Leeds had been keen to sit down for contract talks throughout last season, but his change his representation created issues with this.
Konkuk: Is it true that Leeds offered Porto's Otavio €30m?
Not as far as I'm aware.
Carrington77: Hi Beren, it is obvious we need to move Casilla on. If and when that's done, would you agree Ben Foster would be the perfect addition as he's a free agent?
I don't know if I'd quite stretch to calling Foster perfect, but that may be the kind of back-up they look for to sit in behind Meslier. I know some Watford fans felt his YouTube channel became a distraction at times from the job in hand. Based on Watford's defensive record last season, Foster may not inspire confidence.
Desdemonar : Hello Beren, I was surprised at the link with Tyler Adams considering the situation with Leipzig. Did they really think it was possible?
It seems logical for there to be an icier business relationship with a third party you are in open conflict with in court over an unpaid transfer fee, but some months ago, when Red Bull links emerged, I was told Orta remained on good terms with that organisation. Aaronson and Kristensen's deals show the very top of that tree has no qualms trading with Leeds, though the Leipzig element remains an unknown quantity.
RussVMedia: Beren, what is the latest with Helder Costa seen reports he's been linked with a move to Norwich City or Boavista also do you know if he turned up yesterday for training?
No sign of Costa in any of the media released from day one, but he was on international duty with Angola earlier this month, so would have been given the extra week like everyone else. See no reason why he won't at least report to Leeds for pre-season before going out on loan again. His agent will see he gets something if it's clear he's not going to play at Elland Road.
ZachLUFC: Have we decided we don't want an experienced backup keeper, shouldn't be a complicated deal to do, especially with some free agents that could do the job.
Would not be surprised if a back-up 'keeper got done eventually down the line, but that's an opinion rather than any hints or steers I've had on names etc.
RussVMedia: Good afternoon, Beren. I hope you're well. Just wondering what is your thoughts on Raphinha, do you think he'll join Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Newcastle or Tottenham or even remain at Leeds United this summer?
He's on holiday still at the moment and Deco has actually popped up on his Instagram in recent days. They will obviously be talking about their next steps. Barcelona is the club they both want, but the question marks about their financial situation persist. Leeds do not deal in sentiment. They need hard cash to sell their prized Brazilian. Arsenal remain the only outfit to have put a formal bid on the table. Time is ticking and while Raphinha has no real complaints about life in Leeds, you can understand why he would prefer not to start pre-season here before then leaving again. Chelsea's ownership change has slowed their transfer movement. Tottenham's interest in Richarlison and Anthony Gordon may trump their Raphinha chase in the short term.
Harty2022: I honestly cannot believe that we have not been linked with a left back, it was the weakest area of our team last season in my opinion, maybe Orta doesn't want to own up to getting it wrong signing Firpo but to give him another season is wrong in my eyes, he clearly isn't cut out for the job. We desperately need to sign Charlie Taylor or someone similar, otherwise we will have the same problems down that side again for another season, please let's have your thoughts.
A surprise to me too. Absolutely one of the areas I'd like to see investment to provide competition for Firpo because he seems to have a clear run at it based on the current squad shape. It was a tough first year for the former Barcelona man, but you have to give him that second season to make a go of it. That first year can be an acclimatising period for new faces, especially from Spain.
Matt125612: Afternoon Beren. Do we have any updates on Charles De Ketelaere? Also Mohamed Camara, anything brewing on that front?
It's understood Leeds do like them both, but neither will be easy. De Ketelaere is wanted by a host of top European clubs, the foremost of which is AC Milan. The Serie A champions will have Champions League football as well as an eye-watering salary to offer the Belgian, which will understandably make it tough for Leeds. The Whites will be pinning a lot on the exposure the Premier League provides. Camara is not close, but on Orta's list. There has been some suggestion he may be more expensive than someone like Tyler Adams.
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