OPINION
As the wounds heal on a positive but ultimately unsuccessful Championship campaign, Leeds United know that they cannot afford to sit still if they want to go one better next season.
A play-off semi final defeat brought the Whites’ campaign crashing to a close, having at one point looked like being in contention for not only automatic promotion but the Championship title itself.
Marcelo Bielsa was rightly lauded as the catalyst behind the club’s rise up the table, having finished 13th the season before, and with the Argentine manager on board for another campaign at Elland Road, the focus is on making sure they do not make the same mistakes.
That starts with their summer preparations, primarily with what they choose to do in the transfer window, but as is always the case with Leeds United, it is not going to be smooth sailing.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay warned, via his personal Twitter account, of the club’s financial status, insisting that while there was some money available, funds were limited and that they would need to be careful of Financial Fair Play regulations.
they've had FFP issues and embargoes recently. Leeds are in a position where they need to be careful now.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 4, 2019
With fans wanting to see improvements to the squad in the form of new arrivals, director of football Victor Orta appears to have a tough task to contend with, limited funds tying his hands as to the sort of quality he can bring in to Elland Road.
It could very well be a sell-to-buy situation for the Spaniard, which is why Phil Hay’s report on the future of the out-of-favour players on the Whites’ books will surely be music to the senior figure’s ears.
The journalist states that interest is building in those who have been shipped out on loan over the past 12 months and that Leeds will be able to get a fair few out the door permanently – not only clearing their wages off the bill but bringing in some much needed transfer fees for Orta to play with.
there's a fair amount of interest. They should be able to shift a good number.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 5, 2019
The Leeds chief will be desperate to improve his own personal record of signings and give Bielsa what he needs to seal a return to the Premier League – the more deadwood they offload, the better he will be able to recruit.
It is good news for the Whites and Orta might well be rubbing his hands at the prospect of other clubs snapping up those he wants rid of.