Here are your Leeds United morning headlines for Sunday, 16 August.
Kiko Casilla tipped for exit
Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan believes Kiko Casilla will leave Elland Road this summer in search of first-team football.
The 33-year-old Spaniard left then-European champions Real Madrid to play in the Championship with Leeds, but following his eight-match suspension and impressive performances from Illan Meslier in his absence, his status in Marcelo Bielsa’s plans is in doubt.
“I think a player like Kiko Casilla won’t sit around, no. I think he’ll want to play football and he’s been sitting down as a number two for too long, hence why we brought him into the club to be a number one,” he told Football Insider.
“Things change very quickly in football, as we can see, and I’m not sure he’ll want to do that, I’m not sure he’ll want to sit around for a year or two not being a number one, he’s had enough of that.
“He’ll probably want to look elsewhere and move closer to home to be a number one somewhere – free up the money, free up the space if we are going to bring in another goalkeeper.”
Tyler Roberts joins the #FreeBenWhite bandwagon
Leeds’ players have clearly noticed the popular hashtag on social media from fans urging Brighton & Hove Albion to let Ben White join the club after his impressive loan spell.
Not only did the young defender play a starring role, every minute of the Whites’ promotion-winning campaign, but he evidently made friends at the club.
Recent Instagram posts showed White on holiday with Kalvin Phillips and Tyler Roberts, who both commented on White’s absence.
“Look like I’m missing a certain somebody #freemybrotherrrr,” wrote Phillips, to which Roberts replied: “#freehimup”.
Here’s the full story.
Emiliano Martinez addresses transfer speculation
Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has addressed the recent transfer speculation linking him with Leeds and a number of other clubs.
The Argentinian has been on the Gunners’ books since 2012, but has often been loaned out and rarely been handed regular opportunities at the Emirates.
But he recently impressed after lockdown in Mikel Arteta’s side, stepping up in the absence of injured first-choice keeper Bernd Leno.
"I am in the sights of 10 teams in Europe. But I can't say who those clubs are, because it's nothing concrete," he told Marca.
"I still do not have the clear situation with Arsenal, when I have it when I return I will make the best decision for my career."
