Here are your Leeds United morning headlines for Monday, 31 August.
Leeds set to bid £15m for Kent
Former Sunderland and England striker Kevin Phillips claims Leeds United are set to test Rangers’ resolve with a £15million bid for winger Ryan Kent.
Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips admitted that the fee was substantial for a Scottish Premiership player but claimed the former Liverpool man may find Premier League football difficult to turn down.
Leeds have reportedly already seen a £10m bid knocked back for the 23-year-old.
“It is a tough one,” said Phillips. “I have been told they are going to go back with another offer. I would say £12-15 million. Perhaps that is a lot of money for someone who has been playing in the Scottish Premiership.
“It will ultimately come down to the player. What are his ambitions? He looks very, very happy up in Scotland.
“He is enjoying his football and has European football to look forward to. He is extremely comfortable there but the lure of the Premier League, sometimes, is too much to turn down.
“I would say between £12-15million – no more than that for me.”
Rodrigo always destined for the top - Coyle
Owen Coyle claims he always knew new Leeds signing Rodrigo Moreno was cut out for top-level football.
Coyle coached Rodrigo during the Spanish striker’s loan spell at Bolton Wanderers during the 2010/11 season.
Leeds completed the club-record £27m capture of Rodrigo from Valencia on Saturday.
"It was just obvious he was class," Coyle said. "We had experienced lads like Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander and Ivan Klasnic about - but they all liked and respected him. Big Kev said to me after the first day's training that we had signed a good one. He would also take knocks and just bounce back.
"He always had a smile on his face, even if he was not in the side. I was more frustrated than him that he could not get more chances.
"His attitude was spot on. He was so humble and had such desire. It was just impossible NOT to like him. We used him as an impact sub and some things he did showed he was going to be superb - we all just knew he would be a star."
Rodrigo de Paul ideal for Bielsa ball
Udinese playmaker Rodrigo de Paul would be an excellent addition to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.
Writing for Leeds Live, Simon Yaffe claims the Argentine’s goalscoring prowess and abilities as a playmaker would see him thrive for the Whites.
"Adept at excellent through balls to the strikers, he regularly starts counter-attacks, which would certainly fit into Leeds’ style of play under Bielsa,” writes Yaffe.
“Then there is the fact that De Paul boasts typical Argentine characteristics, with his dogged determination and willingness to chase down the ball when the opposition is in possession.
“Those hard-working attributes will be something that Bielsa treasurers – and De Paul could even deputise for midfield warriors Kalvin Phillips and Mateusz Klich.”
