Good Morning. It's Thursday 11th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Silence is deafeningIn less than a months time the new Championship season kicks-off, and despite being more than a third of the way through the Summer transfer window, all remain quiet on the transfer front!
The signing of Joe Rodon was a massive coup, particularly as he was being chased by several top flight clubs, but, if Leeds are going to achieve automatic promotion, they'll need some serious strengthening.
Past experience tells us that leaving signings to the last minute never ends well, but here we are, 30 days before the visit of Portsmouth, and there are glaring gaps which must be filled if the Whites are to get off to a better start than they did this time last year.
O'Hare not a priority signingCallum O'Hare is not a priority signing for Leeds, according to Graham Symth, the Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Evening Post.
OHare, 26, is a free agent after seeing out his contract at Coventry City. His battling performances, and scoring ability (10 goals in 21 starts last season) make him a strong contender for a Leeds midfield with only one league goal during their 23/24 campaign.
Midfielders Ilea Gruev and Glen Kamara have both been strongly linked with moves away from Elland Road this Summer, yet according to Smyth, there are no imminent signs that he will become a Leeds player anytime soon.
Their lack of urgency have prompted Sheffield Utd to join the race, with one media outlet quoting as their headline 'O'Hare's free agent status and Leeds United's lack of urgency in pursuing him could benefit Sheffield United in the transfer market'.
According to Smyth:
“I would still love to see a number 10 come in,” At the minute I don’t get the feeling that it’s going to be O’Hare because we’re told there’s nothing imminent right now with him from Leeds, and I don’t get the feeling they’re chasing that one as an urgent priority.”
Leeds odds on favourites to top ChampionshipLeeds are outright favourites to top the Championship next season, and return to the Premier League, according to Bet365.
The betting giants place Leeds 7/2 favourites to go up as Champions, ahead of Burnley 8/1, Luton 10/1 and Boro 14/1. Coventry City, West Brom, Norwich and Sheffield Utd are all 16/1 outsiders.
