Here are your Leeds United evening headlines for Monday, August 31.
Orta reveals plans for rest of transfer window
Leeds United director of football Victor Orta has insisted the club will prioritise “quality over quantity" as they look to further strengthen their squad in the coming weeks.
The Whites have already completed the club record £27million transfer of striker Rodrigo from Valencia.
And that was followed shortly after by the arrival of defender Robin Koch, signed for £13million having impressed with Bundesliga side Freiburg.
And Orta, though keen to reiterate the need for the right additions, has suggested there will be more to come.
“We know our goal, we want to retain our Premier League status, this is our goal,” he told LUTV.
“We need to be clear, we want to bring quality, not quantity. We need to be honest that the goal is still to establish the team in the Premier League, 16 years is a lot of time and this is the reason to have ambition but with clear growth.
“We need to finish the job now. Our strategy is quality, not quantity. With Rodrigo we have a strategic signing and now we need to be clever with the additions because the competition is just starting now but there's still a loan market until October, but we have a plan and we need to stick to the plan and follow the plan.”
Leeds end pursuit of Arsenal defender
Leeds have ended their interest in Arsenal defender Rob Holding, according to Football Insider.
The Whites are reportedly in the market for another centre-back following the arrival of Koch.
But they have given up on agreeing a deal for Holding after holding preliminary discussions with Arsenal last month.
The Gunners’ asking price was deemed too high, so Leeds will have to look elsewhere as they search for an alternative option to Ben White, whose permanent transfer continues to evade Bielsa.
Koch: "I have to learn new things"
Robin Koch has acknowledged that there will be an adaptation period following his move from Freiburg.
The 24-year-old’s transfer was confirmed over the weekend and he will join up with his new teammates after the upcoming international break.
And the German defender, who has two caps to his name, is under no illusions as to the challenge he faces at Elland Road under Bielsa.
“We [Freiburg] played not exactly the same style of Leeds, so for me it's a completely new team so I have to learn new things, which is normal,” Koch said.
“I have the right attributes for the game and it will be good with the team and of course I will need some time to learn how to play with the players.
“I think it will be good.”
