Bielsa wants five signings as Leeds target Chelsea and Arsenal prospects
Marcelo Bielsa wants Leeds to make five signings for their return to the Premier League – and he has targets at Chelsea and Arsenal, claim reports.
Leeds are preparing for their first top flight campaign in 16 years, having won the Championship title. They know they need to reinforce their squad to make their return to the top division a success.
And to do so, they want to make five signings, according to The Daily Mail. Their priorities include adding a centre-back and strengthening their attack, while they are also looking for cover in midfield and at left-back.
One midfielder they are interested in, as per the Mail, is Conor Gallagher. The youngster impressed on loan at both Charlton and Swansea in the Championship last season, and Chelsea are willing to send him out on loan again.
His immediate future may be in the Premier League, rather than the Championship again. While a number of second tier clubs want him, there is strong competition from the Premier League.
Leeds have made enquiries about Gallagher, 20, who has two years left on his contract. The England Under-21 international will discuss his future at Stamford Bridge this week.
As for attacking targets, Leeds have lined up a move for Slavia Prague’s Nicolae Stanciu. The 27-year-old has 37 caps for Romania and has played club football in Belgium, Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic.
Slavia Prague have made Stanciu available for around £7m. He tends to play as an attacking midfielder, but can operate out wide.
Stanciu is on a list of Leeds targets described as “extensive”, as the West Yorkshire club look to bolster their ranks with “four or five” additions.
That’s at the request of boss Bielsa, who the Mail say is “close to extending his contract this week”.
HOLDING TO REPLACE BEN WHITE?
One of Leeds’ other priorities is to reinforce their defence. Ben White impressed at centre-back last season, being ever-present during his loan spell from Brighton.
However, the Seagulls are playing hard-ball to keep the 22-year-old. Reports over the weekend suggested Albion had turned down a bid of £22m for the defender.
Therefore, Leeds have to consider alternatives. And the Mail note that Arsenal’s Rob Holding is an option for the Elland Road side.
Mikel Arteta is willing to let Holding leave for the right offer. The 24-year-old has three years left on his contract, but made just six Premier League starts in 2019-20.
With their chances of signing White becoming “difficult”, the Mail add that Leeds have considered the former England Under-21 player.
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