Here are your Leeds United evening headlines for Sunday, August 16.
Chelsea decision bad news for Leeds
Leeds may be about to suffer a major blow in their pursuit of Ben White after reports indicated Chelsea are set to bid £40million for Lewis Dunk.
White enjoyed a fantastic season on loan at Elland Road and was a key component of Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion-winning side.
The club are keen to turn his loan deal into a permanent one, but they have been met with resistance from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Graham Potter is a known fan of White and any slim hopes Leeds had of him leaving may now have been dashed.
The Sun report the Blues are close to agreeing a £40m deal for club captain Dunk which will put an end to any talk of White leaving.
Former Leeds defender expected links to Belgian star
Danny Mills is not surprised that Leeds are reportedly interested in Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.
The former Leeds defender was speaking to Football Insider when he suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s history with the striker likely played a role in him looking at him for Leeds.
Bielsa worked alongside the Belgian at French club Marseille, and it has been claimed he will consider reuniting with him in his search for a new striker at Elland Road.
“He played for Bielsa before,” Mills said. “Bielsa knows him, he knows what he’s all about. Are we really surprised that Bielsa’s interested in a player that he knows inside out, that he’s seen on the training ground time and time again?
“People will ask questions and say that Batshuayi misses chances, but Bamford misses chances too.
"There are obviously other strengths about their game that are very important to Marcelo Bielsa and the way that he wants to do things.
“Leeds will take their time, and they will get the right people in. You’ve got to trust in Marcelo Bielsa and the fact that he does things a little bit differently. He will get it right.”
Leeds chief outlines commercial vision
Leeds United’s global expansion plan relies heavily on Asia.
The Gambling firm SBOTOP was announced as the club’s new shirt-sponsor earlier this week, and the news saw interviews with executive director Paul Bell and SBOTOP chief Bill Mummery.
“It’s been challenging,” Bell said. “Without supporters in the stadium, without the income, we enjoy on matchdays, it puts increasing financial pressure on the business.
“People talk about the Premier League and the TV broadcast revenue that comes from that.
“It is significant clearly, but as a commercial operation, we need to ensure all of our revenue streams are continuing to function properly.
“You’ve seen the announcement of SBOTOP, we announced a further deal with Clipper and there’s more to come.”
You can read the full story here.
