Marcelo Bielsa has dropped another hint that he will remain at Leeds next season by revealing he is involved in this summer’s recruitment plans.
Bielsa’s policy has been to sign 12-month deals for each season since he arrived at Leeds in 2018 and his existing contract expires in June.
He has previously said he is happy and settled at Elland Road and has now revealed he is working with director of football Victor Orta on transfer targets.
Orta drives Leeds’ transfer policy, but he consults Bielsa on every target before pursuing them.
When asked about the club’s transfer planning, Bielsa said: “Any needs that the team or the club have, I will respond to them with open arms.”
Orta did not try to sign anyone in January because Bielsa dislikes operating in the January transfer window except in exceptional circumstances.
The Leeds boss prefers to sign players in the summer, ideally before pre-season, to give them time to adjust physically to the punishing demands of his high-tempo style.
Orta is continually revising and assessing his list of targets and is looking at a creative midfielder after failing to sign anyone in that position last year.
Bielsa said: “Victory has a clear vision of the composition of the group.
“He controls the needs of every player and every position in the club.
“He’s a man with a big capacity for this evaluation and when he needs my opinion or evaluation on a certain subject, I will always be at his disposal.”
