Here are the Leeds United morning headlines for Wednesday, August 12.
Rangers boss responds to Leeds links with defender
Rangers defender Borna Barisic has impressed for the club since joining as one of Steven Gerrard’s first signings in 2018.
The former Osijek man played 40 games in all competitions last season, prompting talk of a switch to Leeds, following the Whites’ promotion to the Premier League.
However, the Daily Record suggested earlier this month the player had no plans to move on after a campaign in which no other Rangers player delivered more assists in the league, and his manager’s comments support this.
In a press conference ahead of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership meeting with St Johnstone, Gerrard poured cold water on the rumours.
He responded with a firm no when asked if there was anything in reports linking the left-back with a move to Elland Road.
He added: “Borna’s focused here, he’s signed a long contract.
“He’s really settled, he’s in fantastic form and we’re delighted to have him. Nothing’s come to us in terms of that situation, but it’s no surprise.”
Leeds to rival Sheffield United for Cash signing
Nottingham Forest’s Matty Cash was one of the standout full-backs in last season’s Championship, so it’s no surprise to see him linked with a step up to the Premier League.
The defender got forward well from right-back all season, producing three goals and five assists as Forest narrowly missed out on a play-off place, and Sheffield United have already been linked. However, according to new reports, Leeds are also interested in the player.
The Blades have lodged a £10million bid for the defender, according to the Sheffield Star, who claim Aston Villa and AC Milan are also in the mix. Milan were reportedly close to picking up the Englishman in January.
Leeds may well need reinforcements at right-back, with the versatile Gaetano Berardi suffering a serious injury which has left his future in doubt, though Luke Ayling showed his worth on the right last season.
Pundit says Liverpool striker would benefit from Leeds move
Liverpool striker Divock Origi has been linked with a move away from Anfield, after another season in which his first-team opportunities were limited.
The Belgium international has started just 11 league games across the last two seasons, being predominantly utilised from the bench, and pundit Kevin Phillips has suggested a move to Leeds could be a good fit if the player wants regular football.
“Divock has been there for a while and he might be fed up with being on the fringes,” Phillips told Football Insider.
“He has won the Champions League and the Premier League and now he might just want to go and play football.
“When you go to somewhere like Villa or Leeds from Liverpool you expect to be playing virtually every game. That might be in the player’s thoughts.”
Phillips cast some doubt over whether the 25-year-old would want to leave Anfield for a relegation scrap, but Leeds may well be setting their sights higher.
They could certainly use new faces in attack, too, with Jean-Kevin Augustin’s future up in the air and Patrick Bamford still relatively untested at the highest level.
