Just when things seemed to be be looking up on the pitch, with the appointment of a bright young manager, it’s been claimed today that a few differences between the clubs shareholders could delay some of the signings that Garry Monk is looking to make for the new season.
The Mail Online have reported today that a few issues between Massimo Cellino and GFH (who still own 16% of the shares) will need to be resolved before he Il Presidente can raise the funds to complete the transfers that Garry Monk currently has in progress. The difficulties between the two parties will be discussed at the next board meeting on the 21st.
Perhaps the most disturbing part of the Mail’s article is the comment from Cellino that there is "a problem that he has to sort out for good”, and that if he doesn’t manage to do that the club will have to adopt "adopt a different strategy” regarding transfers this summer.
He continued "We are trying a lot of deals, but before our board meeting I cannot tell anything. On the 21st, if we can raise the capital, we are going to sign a few player(s) for next season. I have a little problems with the shareholders. I hope everything will go fine (on) the 21st.”
One signing Leeds are hoping to make is Oxford’s 23-year-old striker Kemar Roofe, a former West Bromwich Albion trainee who scored 26 goals last season on his way to becoming League Two’s player of the year. Garry Monk is also said to have made a bid for young Manchester United striker Ashley Fletcher, who finished last season on loan at Barnsley.
We are also looking for another reserve goalkeeper, which may be linked to the fact that three Italian clubs have made enquiries about Marco Silvestri, a keeper who still divides opinion among the Leeds support. We’ve finally agreed a new deal for Bailey Peacock-Farrell, but as he will still be only 19 when the new season starts we may need another more experienced keeper if Silvestri departs.
Another possible departure is Lee Erwin, who could be going back to his former club Motherwell after failing to impress during his season at Elland Road.
It’s good to know that Cellino has confirmed that we’re looking to make a few signings before the new season starts, but as ever with Leeds United you have to fear that bad news in not too far away. We’ll just have to hope that it all goes well at the meeting on the 21st.