Here is your Leeds United morning digest on Friday, January 29.
Almada's Bielsa verdict
Reported Manchester United target Thiago Almada has previously admitted his admiration for Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.
Almada looks set to move to Europe in the summer after impressing scouts for Velez Sarsfield in Argentina.
Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign the 19-year-old winger, but he has previously stated his admiration of Bielsa.
“I would like Bielsa to coach me,” he told TyC Sports in July.
“My friends sent me something about Bielsa, but I am calm. Whether it happens or not, we have to see.
“I don’t watch much soccer, but I saw some Leeds highlights and I saw something similar to what we did in Velez with (Gabriel) Heinze.”
Read the full story here.
Radrizzani maps out Elland Road plan
Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani says watching European football being played at a redeveloped Elland Road is his new dream for the club.
Radrizzani secured new big-money investment earlier this week, when it was announced that the San Francisco 49ers had increased their minority shareholding to 37%.
The Whites chief has now been opened up on plans to redevelop Elland Road and revealed how, with the new intake of money, the stadium refurbishment goes hand-in-hand with their ultimate goal.
"My dream – and I think I share the same dream with Paraag (Marathe, 49ers vice-chairman) – is to have one of the big European nights in a new stadium with Leeds United," Radrizzani said.
"As you remember when we started, I said I would like to be promoted within five years, we made it. So if you ask me the same question for the news cycle, I can visualise five, seven years where I want to be. With a new Elland Road with modernised facilities and around these facilities, we have a lot of real estate opportunities. We want to build a modern club. We are still far away from being a modern club.
"We brought in different activities that made the club fresh and modern, from the training to the other areas but we still have a lot to do on ecommerce, merchandising, media which should be my expertise but we're still really far from what I want."
Read the full story here.
Whites hopeful of Alioski new deal
Leeds remain hopeful of securing a new contract for Gjanni Alioski amid rumours he could be set to leave Elland Road.
Alioski is somewhat of a cult hero at the Whites and has been a huge part of Bielsa's side in the Premier League this season.
However, with the North Macedonian's contract expiring at the end of the current campaign, rumours have flooded in regarding his future.
One report from Turkey has suggested he is close to signing for Galatasaray, but according to TEAMtalk, Bielsa is keen to keep Alioski in Yorkshire.
It has been claimed that the club are still in negotiations with the 28-year-old and his agent over a new contract and are hopeful that an agreement can be reached.
