Here is your Leeds United morning digest for Wednesday, June 3.
The inside track on Che Adams and his move to Leeds United that fell apart
Leeds United director of football Victor Orta has revealed how close Leeds came to signing Che Adams in January.
Adams, 23, joined Southampton from Birmingham City last summer but has struggled in the Premier League. The player is still to register a competitive goal for the club, and that saw rumours of a move to Leeds surface in January.
The club were in the market for a forward after Eddie Nketiah returned to parent club Arsenal, and they eventually agreed a loan deal for Jean-Kévin Augustin. Now Orta has explained to The Scouted Hub just how close Leeds were to signing Adams.
“I have a player that the second week of December is really available for us, near to closing (the deal), and the second week of January he’s not available because he gave a nice assist against Leicester,” Orta said.
You can read Orta’s interview in full here, including how he intends to avoid future transfer disappointments.
Orta maps out Leeds transfer policy
Victor Orta has revealed how Leeds will adapt their transfer strategy in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.
The club’s director of football has pushed clubs to use more of their academy players and spoke in detail about Marcelo Bielsa’s brave squad building approach which uses a small squad that is then supplemented with U23 players.
“We presume a lot of academies, we presume a lot of information, we presume a lot of good methodology in the youth teams,” he said.
“It’s a good moment for the young players. It’s a good moment, against the financial situation, to give the chance to players that perhaps [wouldn’t normally play].
“Obviously, this happens in all the crises. If you analyse all of the crises, maybe with an economic problem, what happens?
“New young player from the academy. Why not now make that the philosophy? Why not, in this situation, make this step an idea.
“Why not create what we are thinking at Leeds United?
You can read his full thoughts here.
Latest Cardiff injury news ahead of Leeds United clash
Cardiff City have been boosted by the news Lee Tomlin and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing are back in training ahead of their game against Leeds United.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are currently top of the Championship and they will begin their march towards the title against Cardiff City later this month.
Speaking on the fitness of both men, boss Neil Harris, told WalesOnline : “Mendez-Laing has come back into the full group instantly. He has had two full days training with the group, which is fantastic and he looks in great shape.
“Lee is slightly further away because he has had less contact time with the physios before lockdown.
“Lee is doing pretty much everything the players are doing, but he’s just doing it in his own different environment at the moment. But we are hoping to have him back in the group, full training, possibly next week.
“We are certainly hoping that Tomlin and Mendez-Laing will both be available for the next game of the season when that comes about. Whether it’s that they are ready to start a game or not, but we are hopeful they can have some impact from the bench.
“We are not putting too much pressure on them, but it is a positive, they are two very popular players, and it’s great to have them back, they are vital to success for us.
“Given the difficult time we’ve had, it’s nice to share that good news.”
