Has Leeds United boss Brian McDermott been duped by the clubs owners. McDermott today admitted the situation was "not what he expected" re the news that he must sell before he can buy.
The official Leeds United website revealed that McDermott has "verbally agreed" to bring in his second signing, however a revealing interview on Sky Sports News earlier summed up his frustration.
McDermott said: "At this stage you're trying to get players in - obviously we've got Matt Smith in and another deal agreed - then we'll just see what happens in the next couple of weeks.
"The situation is that there is a possibility that we may have to do deals going the other way with players going out to bring players in. As it stands there may have to be outgoings to get players into the club."
Arguably our most valuable asset in Sam Byram, who has attracted interest from Manchester City and Cardiff according to reports. McDermott confirmed: "I've got no interest in selling Sam Byram - but we've had a little bit of interest for one or two players so we'll just have to wheel and deal. That's how it is at this moment in time
"The situation isn't what I expected but I'm at this football club and fully committed to it. I've got a lot of time for the staff and supporters and they deserve success.
"If the club get some investment over the next month then there's a possibility that we can do deals - and I know that everyone is working very hard behind the scenes to make that happen."
So when GFH, Shaun Harvey and Brian got round the table last April in the wake of Neil Warnock's departure, one would have loved to have been a fly-on-the-wall! Ur only hope now is McDermott can wheel and deal, as he says without sacrificing our jewel in the crown Byram.
For us long-suffering fans, it is a case of déjà vu of summers past under the reign of Ken Bates. GfH seem unwilling and incapable of proving funds to strengthen the squad and Vice Chairman Saleh Nooruddin's call for patience and for the fans to get behind the team has hardly gone down well.
Let's hope Messers Haigh, Nooruddin, Patel et al are the slick businessmen they like to portray and can somehow bring some new investors to the table before the season kicks off five weeks on Saturday.
Meanwhile journalist David Conn, an arch enemy of Ken Bates has tweeted that "Leeds United has borrowed money, undisclosed, from Dubai company (@haighdavid is a director); mortgage taken over the club shares #lufc?"