Here are your Leeds United morning headlines for Wednesday, July 7.
Radrizzani breaks silence on Firpo deal
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has voiced his pleasure at completing a deal to sign Junior Firpo.
The Spaniard became the Whites' third piece of summer business on Monday, signing from Barcelona.
“Look, we’ve been waiting for long,” the Italian told the club’s official site.
“Every week, I was expecting news from Junior’s agent and Victor. And finally, during the weekend, I got the feedback that he liked our proposal and he liked to join us, so we’re very happy and I think we put it out there an important element to continue to grow our club in what we deserve to be, and we’ll continue to grow, I’m sure about that.
“And as well for him, for Firpo, it is a fantastic opportunity for Junior to play with Marcelo because as you know he is a demanding coach, and also he will transform his career, I’m pretty sure about that.”
Raphinha set for new squad number
Ezgjan Alioski’s departure from Leeds United has opened up one the most storied shirt numbers in football for the first time in four years.
The number 10 is an iconic shirt across domestic and international football. While Alioski put it to use down the left flank at Elland Road, traditionally it’s reserved for a team’s best player, talisman, creator or goalscorer.
The shirt had a chequered recent history before Alioski took it on, as it changed hands regularly once Luciano Becchio’s distinguished service ended.
United’s latest pre-season training video appears to suggest Raphinha, 2020/21’s revelation, may be the man to take it on next term.
Michael Olise blow
Reading playmaker Michael Olise looks set to join Crystal Palace after they triggered his £8million release clause.
The 19-year-old played a starring role for the Royals in the Championship and had been linked with a move to Leeds.
However, Olise looks set to become Patrick Vieira's first new signing at Selhurst Park, according to our sister title, Berkshire Live.
