Southampton fans have taken to Twitter to react after Moussa Djenepo scored for Mali in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier win over Chad, opening the scoring in what turned out to be a 2-0 win – Wolves’ Adama Traore netted the second.The 21-year-old has now scored three goals this season for club and country, following a £15m move to Southampton from Standard Liege back in the summer – Belgian legend Michel Preud’homme stated that Djenepo has a “good mentality” while he was playing in the Pro League.
Djenepo’s strikes have come in just three starts, having made just two Premier League starts for the Saints this season as well as one for Mali – the forward now has nine caps for his country.
Given the fact that Djenepo is arguably one of the Saints’ most dangerous players, his efforts while on international duty have attracted some interest from Southampton fans on Twitter.
A few supporters saw a chance to make a jibe towards Ralph Hasenhuttl’s use of the Malian, as the former RB Leipzig boss has deployed his £15m at left wing-back on one occasion against Sheffield United – a particularly baffling move given his attacking talents.
One fan sarcastically said that they were “buzzing” to see Djenepo play in defensive-midfield and then right-back in the second half next week.
Let’s take a look at some more of the Twitter reaction…
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has provided a worrying update regarding the fitness of Alisson at Liverpool, following his latest injury setback.
Liverpool suffer Alisson injury blow
The Reds may have won 1-0 away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League last Saturday, but it came at a cost, with Alisson leaving the field during the second half. The Brazilian knew straight away that he had suffered a hamstring injury, kicking a Trent Alexander-Arnold pass straight into touch before going down in a heap on the pitch.
It is a huge concern for Liverpool, considering Alisson hasn’t only cemented his status as a genuine Anfield legend, but also because he is arguably one of the greatest goalkeepers in recent memory, playing with remarkable consistency ever since joining from Roma in the summer of 2018, winning the Premier League, Champions League and many other trophies along the way.
It remains to be seen how long the 32-year-old is going to be out of action for, but not for the first time, it looks as though Caoimhin Kelleher is going to have to fill in between the sticks after the international break, as his teammate’s reputation as an injury-prone ‘keeper continues to grow.
Concerning Alisson update emerges at Liverpool
According to Football Insider‘s O’Rourke, Alisson’s injury-plagued nature has now become “concerning” for Liverpool’s medics, with the update pointing out that the Brazil star has “missed 40 games for the Reds during the past five seasons, which is more than any other goalkeeper in the league.”
His fitness issues are now “something the club are aware of”, which is seen as a big reason why Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed from Valencia in the summer transfer window. He has remained on loan there for at least this season, but it could be that he heads to Anfield next summer, depending on Alisson’s situation.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
There is no doubt that he feels more injury-prone than most goalkeepers, considering it is the one position where fitness issues seem to happen less regularly, and having him out for an extended period again could have a massive impact on Liverpool’s title hopes.
All of his current and former Reds teammates are well aware of how priceless Alisson is, with James Milner saying of him back in 2022: “Ali probably had a bit more work to do than we would like but he is world-class, so that helps us out a lot. With or without his beard, he’s just as good. So, that’s nice.”
The hope is that Alisson returns as soon after the international break as possible, but the past suggests that when he picks up an injury problem he can be slow to recover from it, spending lengthy spells on the sidelines in the process.
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For now, he remains the undisputed No.1 at Anfield, and will hopefully stay put for many years, but if the injuries keep happening, they may have to turn to Mamardashvili.
Chelsea’s frontline has undergone somewhat of an overhaul in recent years, all thanks to the investment of owner Todd Boehly since his takeover back in 2022.
It’s allowed for numerous elite-level talents to arrive at Stamford Bridge, handing boss Enzo Maresca all the ammunition needed to succeed during his debut campaign in West London.
Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke are just two options that were available to the Italian before the summer transfer window, but he further bolstered his attack towards the closing stages – providing further quality and firepower in the final third.
Jadon Sancho arrived on loan with an obligation to buy from fellow Premier League side Manchester United, whilst Portuguese international Pedro Neto joined the Blues in a £54m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They’ll both be partnering one player who also moved to the capital in the last couple of years during the Boehly era.
Nicolas Jackson’s time at Chelsea
Striker Nicolas Jackson moved to Chelsea during the summer of 2023 for a fee in the region of £32m from LaLiga outfit Villarreal.
Nicolas Jackson
The Senegalese international had high hopes of being a success at the Bridge after his final season in Spain saw him register 12 goals in just 16 league starts – potentially putting an end to the club’s centre-forward hunt.
He managed to score 14 goals during his debut campaign in England – even bagging a hat-trick against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur – but many fans were disappointed with his lack of cutting edge in the final third.
The 23-year-old missed 24 big chances in the Premier League last season, the third most in the division, with the club once again hunting for a new number nine this summer.
However, after once again failing to secure a deal for a new talisman, Maresca stuck with Jackson for the opening games of the new campaign, with the forward registering two goals and one assist in his first four outings.
Whilst he’s provided some form of impact on attacking areas, the fanbase have been left wanting more with his addition – but it could’ve played out so differently, with the club making a move for the striker over another attacker who’s starred since his own move to England.
Chelsea signed Jackson over a move for PL star
The summer of 2023 was a huge one for the Blues, with a whopping 12 new additions, including Jackson who was one of the most expensive first-team signings.
Mohammed Kudus for West Ham
However, the signing of the striker saw the club miss out on winger Mohammed Kudus, with ESPN reporting that Mauricio Pochettino’s side had ‘pursued a deal’ for the then-Ajax man during that same transfer window.
The Ghanaian eventually moved to fellow English side West Ham United for a deal in the region of £38m, with the attacker going on to sparkle during his time at the London Stadium thus far.
Games played
35
35
Goals + assists
16
19
Goals per shot-on-target
0.45
0.37
Progressive carries
4.3
2.3
Pass accuracy
77%
77%
Shot-creating actions
3.8
3.1
Take-ons completed
4.6
1.7
He’s registered 21 goal contributions in his 50 appearances for the Hammers following his big-money move from Ajax – with his excellent form prompting interest from Arne Slot’s Liverpool during the summer transfer window.
Whilst no offer was ever made for his services, the interest led to Kudus’ former coach Jeremy Seethal dubbing the 24-year-old a “£100m player” – with Chelsea making a huge error in not pursuing a move for the talented forward.
Mohammed Kudus for West Ham
His direct dribbling and pace in the final third would provide that added edge to Maresca’s squad, potentially allowing for a more prominent forward at the top end of the pitch, with Kudus previously featuring as a central striker during his time in the Eredivisie.
However, Chelsea’s loss is West Ham’s gain, as their failure to secure a deal saw the Hammers take advantage – leaving the question as to what he could’ve been for the Blues had they moved for Kudus over a deal for Jackson.
Offloaded by Lopetegui: West Ham have already axed their next Declan Rice
The club have seen a huge overhaul of their midfield department in the last 12 months.
West Bromwich Albion fans would not have anticipated the electric start Josh Maja has made to this season whatsoever in the summer, when taking into account his injury-disrupted first campaign at the Hawthorns.
Maja only started one league game all of last season owing to his prolonged spells in the treatment room, with the former Sunderland youth product now a man reborn in the Championship having wriggled free of his injury issues, bagging a ridiculous seven goals from seven clashes.
Carlos Corberan will hope, if his team get there, that the 25-year-old can equally cause defences all sorts of bother in the Premier League, like this striker managed during an impactful stint donning a Baggies strip in the top-flight.
Tony Pulis' perfect signing
Salomon Rondon would have been a purchase that intrigued West Brom fans during their not-so-distant Premier League past when it was first announced, with the Venezuelan centre-forward joining the building from far-out Zenit St. Petersburg to try and help the Baggies cement their place amongst English football’s elite.
A typical Tony Pulis signing – coming in at a towering 6 foot 1 frame with a prowess for bullying defenders – Rondon would be a hit with his new fanbase from the get-go, firing home ten goals in all competitions during his debut season at the club, with his debut goal for his new side actually coming away at Pulis’ ex-employers in Stoke City.
Picked out by a similarly imposing Rickie Lambert to head home, the intimidating Baggies number 33 would be a reliable source of goals for his team over the three seasons he was situated in the West Midlands.
His powers would arguably start to wane towards the end of his spell, with only seven Premier League goals coming his way during the 2017/18 campaign, but those strikes would have at least raised a rare smile that campaign among a depressed fanbase, with the Baggies finishing rock bottom of the division.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom from West Brom’s perspective, however, as relegation meant they could try to cash in on their South American star, with Chinese side Dalian Yifang paying the Baggies £16.5m to win his services in 2019, after he had impressed away from the Hawthorns on loan with Newcastle United.
His short but sweet spell at the Magpies even saw talkSPORT pundit Jim White laud the ex-West Brom number 33 as “unbelievable”, with Rondon helping himself to a healthy goal return of 12 goals from 33 games at St James’ Park.
Salomon Rondon for Newcastle
Regardless, there are no regrets now on West Brom’s end about sanctioning a bumper deal for Rondon to move out to China, with his value now far lower than the much-talked-about £16.5m fee, according to Football Transfers.
Rondon's value in 2024
In 2024, with Rondon becoming somewhat of a globetrotter having played in countries such as Argentina, Mexico and Russia since his days at the Hawthorns, the 35-year-old’s value now stands at a lesser £1.9m.
Dalian certainly dropped the ball when it came to their expensive buy, as Rondon actually exited the Chinese Super League outfit on a free transfer, when Everton came knocking in 2021.
Club played for
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
Dalian
28
14
7
CSKA Moscow
13
4
2
Everton
31
3
1
River Plate
35
10
0
Pachuca
36
21
4
In truth, the 6 foot 1 striker has found it hard to pin down a club to call home since exiting West Brom with more than 100 games under his belt, with his time at the Toffees particularly sticking out as a low point, having only managed a paltry three goals from 31 games.
That might well have contributed to his value decreasing, alongside the fact Rondon is now very much deep into the twilight years of his career now playing for Pachuca.
He is currently shaking off any visible cobwebs for the Mexican side now, with an impressive 21 goals managed from 36 games to date, as Rondon shows there’s life still in his legs.
West Brom did, however, cash in at the best possible time before his value started to decrease, with Rondon still held in high regard to those with Baggies connections today, as the top stars coming through now under Corberan dream of playing in the Premier League.
Left for £16m: West Brom hit gold selling ace who’s now worth millions less
West Bromwich Albion sold this star on at the best possible time.
Liverpool could be set to sanction the exit of Thiago Alcantara from Anfield this summer, reports suggesting that Galatasaray have held talks over a move for the player.
Is Thiago leaving Liverpool?
The 32-year-old has been with the Reds for three seasons now, but having begun life at the club as a fairly frequent option for them in the Premier League, his game time has since tailed off. His initial campaign at Anfield after joining from Bayren Munich led to 24 games in total, as he bagged one goal and the club finished third. However, in 2022/23, the Spaniard started only 14 games and had slightly less in terms of his amounts of 90 minutes.
With the midfielder no longer a frequent option for Liverpool, it means that he could be on the move this summer as the Reds look to sort out their squad. They've already added Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton who can feature in a number of midfield roles, and they added to that business by bringing in Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, who can also play there.
It doesn't appear as if their transfer business in that area is done yet either, with the Reds still being linked to other midfielders such as Romeo Lavia from Southampton. No deal has been agreed, but it looks as though the Reds remain keen to try and get a deal done for the Belgian. It means that Thiago could find himself even further down the pecking order – and that could lead to a transfer away from the English outfit this transfer window.
Thiago-Liverpool-Klopp-Premier-League
Are Galatasaray signing Thiago?
There is already interest in signing the 32-year-old – and talks have seemingly been held. That's because according to a report from Fanatik via The Daily Mail, Galatasaray are eager to try and seal a deal for Thiago and have already held talks over a potential transfer for the Spaniard. It appears that the European giants have even tabled an offer for the midfielder already – one that is thought to be "good" – and that they have sent one of their key figures to visit Liverpool in order to try and push through a move.
Right now, no medical is booked and no official deal has been agreed. However, it does look as though things could be progressing in terms of sending the central player to Turkey and allowing him to leave Liverpool on a deal this summer window.
Thiago is still a very good option in the centre of midfield, with current boss Jurgen Klopp only last year hailing the ability of the player. The German stated that his midfielder is "outstanding" and has a "sensational overview" of a game when he features in it.
If he did leave, then it could prove to be a blow for Liverpool, as he is capable of brilliance. However, with the Reds undergoing a rebuild in the middle of the pitch, it could be the right time for the 32-year-old to leave Anfield, making this one to watch over the coming days and weeks.
An update has emerged on Liverpool and their attempts to bolster their midfield options ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign…
What's the latest on Romeo Lavia to Liverpool?
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Reds are poised to enter negotiations with Southampton over a deal to sign central midfielder Romeo Lavia.
He has also stated that the club have already been in talks with the player's representatives as the Belgian is one of their top targets heading into the remainder of the summer transfer window.
Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The reporter Tweeted: "Liverpool have been in contact with the agents of Roméo Lavia for 2 weeks — still ongoing. He’s high on the list, considered as ‘top talent’ in his position. Sources expect LFC to open talks with Southampton soon — as there will be competition from Arsenal and Chelsea."
James Pearce, of The Athletic, has suggested that the club will only pursue the £50m-rated ace as a third addition in midfield and the Daily Mail have claimed that they are willing to part ways with Thiago Alcantara, which would then open the door for the Saints starlet to come in.
Where would Romeo Lavia fit in at Liverpool?
The Belgian enforcer was predominantly deployed as a defensive midfielder at St. Mary's last season, meaning that he could line up at the base of Jurgen Klopp's midfield, with two players sitting ahead of him.
Alexis Mac Allister's 2022/23 statistics for Brighton.
Having a ball-winning battler in the number six position could make new signing Alexis Mac Allister, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this summer, unplayable next term.
As you can see in the Opta chart above, the Argentina international is one of the outstanding players in his position when it comes to taking shots and scoring goals.
The 24-year-old showcased his quality in the final third as he scored ten goals in 31 Premier League starts for the Seagulls last season. To highlight how good that tally was, no Liverpool midfielder managed more than Curtis Jones' record of three league strikes, which suggests that Mac Allister has the potential to be Klopp's main attacking outlet in that area of the pitch.
Lavia's presence in the middle of the park could provide the World Cup winner with the freedom he needs to do his damage to the opposition, as the 19-year-old has proven himself to be an impressive ball-winner at Premier League level.
The graphic below, as provided by Opta, shows that the Southampton talent excels at winning possession back for his team, which is the perfect trait for a defensive midfielder to have as he is capable of consistently breaking up attacks.
Lavia, who was hailed as an "absolute monster" by writer Benjy Nurick, has also averaged more tackles, interceptions, and blocks combined per 90 (5.67) over the last 365 days in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions in comparison to Liverpool's current number six – Fabinho (4.63).
Romeo Lavia's 2022/23 statistics for Southampton.
These statistics suggest that the former Manchester City man has the quality to be an upgrade on the Brazil international when it comes to breaking up play and stopping the opposition.
Having a player with the quality to be a phenomenal screen in front of the defence would then allow the other midfield players, notably Mac Allister, to push forward without having to worry too much about their defensive responsibilities.
Such a player, therefore, could make them unplayable as they constantly burst forward to make an impact in the final third.
Liverpool made a blistering start to the 2023 summer transfer window after swiftly signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion for a bargain £35m, but are yet to make their next move.
That's despite a wealth of names entering transfer circulation, mostly focussing on the midfield after the departures of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of their contracts.
However, following a revelation from The Athletic's David Ornstein earlier this week, it could be that the next man to join the Anfield ranks is Red Bull Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai, who has enjoyed an exemplary campaign with his German Bundesliga outfit.
Ornstein's report reveals that Liverpool met with the Hungarian's representatives, with a release clause of €70m (£61m) the requirement if the Reds' sporting director Jorg Schmadtke does decide to lodge a formal offer for the playmaker.
The sticking point comes in the clause's conditions, which purportedly expires at the end of June and as such leaves Jurgen Klopp's side with a paltry window of opportunity to make their move before the bargaining chips fall into Die Roten Bullen's hands.
How good is Dominik Szoboszlai?
Should Liverpool decide to pay the lucrative sum to procure the fleet-footed phenom, they would wield a creative midfielder of a calibre unseen on Merseyside since Philippe Coutinho plied his trade for the club.
And what a signing it would be; Szoboszlai has made 91 appearances since arriving from RB Salzburg, registering 42 direct goal contributions and has been hailed as a "generational talent" by journalist Marcel Moeller.
This season, the 22-year-old scored ten goals and supplied 13 assists from 46 outings as Leipzig secured a third-place finish in the German top-flight, also winning the DFB Pokal for the second season in succession.
Given his ability as a dynamic and prolific No. 10, Szoboszlai could be Klopp's answer to Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, who has cemented his stature as one of Europe's premium attacking midfielders since joining the Red Devil ranks from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £47m in January 2020.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Fernandes has scored 64 goals and registered 54 assists from 185 outings for the Old Trafford side and has been hailed as the "example" and "inspiration" by his manager Erik ten Hag as United clinched the Carabao Cup last term and finished third in the league.
As per FBref, the £240k-per-week Portuguese gem ranks among the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 20% for tackles and the top 5% for clearances per 90.
This all-encompassing skill set exemplifies the nature of his trade and why he has been so effective over the past several years and is something that Szoboszlai could certainly emulate, given that he is listed as a 'similar player' to the Portugal maestro.
This is evidenced through the 32-cap Hungary captain's FBref metrics, where he ranks among the top 15% for assists, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 11% for blocks and the top 13% for clearances per 90.
Described as a "magician" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Szoboszlai is exactly what Liverpool need to thread the thirds together and restore balance and cohesion to Klopp's outfit, and despite the high valuation, he must be signed to close the gap on the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United after a lacklustre year.
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, who could be an astute alternative to Bayer Leverkusen centre-half Edmond Tapsoba.
What's the latest on Aymeric Laporte to Tottenham?
According to 90min, Spurs have identified their top defensive target in the Bundesliga Burkina Faso ace, though mounting interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United could throw a spanner in the works.
Laporte has been a stalwart for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City since signing for £57m in 2018 but has fallen down the pecking order and has subsequently been touted for a £40m departure from the Etihad Stadium.
The Spain international has two years remaining on his Citizens deal but new Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou will be determined to catch his man after a disastrous defensive year in the top flight.
Should Tottenham sign Aymeric Laporte?
Laporte is one of the most distinguished and illustrious centre-backs in the history of English football, having completed the treble this season to take his trophy haul in Manchester to five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League.
The French-born Spain star has made 179 appearances across all competitions for the Sky Blues, but after starting just 11 times in the top flight this year, he might feel that his time under Guardiola's wing is at an end.
The 29-year-old has been hailed as the "best left-central defender in the world" by his club manager, but with his diminishing amount of action on the pitch, compounded by news of the club's vested interest in RB Leipzig sensation Josko Gvardiol, searching for new pastures might be the best option.
And at Spurs he would cement his name as a first-rate star, spearheading the resurgence from the back and complementing Postecoglou's possession-based style, with club chairman Daniel Levy saying: "Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play."
As per FBref, the 22-cap colossus ranks among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for pass completion, and the top 1% for passes attempted, progressive passes and progressive carries per 90 – evidently, he holds his own with the ball at his feet.
Currently on £120k-per-week, Laporte could even be an affordable option for the Lilywhites, who crave some defensive fortitude after a fraught campaign that bore no European qualification and a dismal defensive record to better only Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and the three relegated outfits.
But the pass master would also serve to make Ivan Perisic's creative game unplayable, with the Croatian gem sealing a move to north London from Inter on a free transfer last year.
Perisic frequented the left flank throughout the 22/23 term, scoring once and registering 12 assists from 44 matches, and with a coveted layer of assurance from someone of Laporte's ilk, who has averaged 1.8 tackles and 3.4 clearances across the duration of his career – via WhoScored – his playmaking prowess would only improve, especially considering Postecoglou's emphasis on versatile full-backs.
Especially since the 34-year-old veteran already ranks among the top 1% of positional peers for assists and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90; impressive metrics, and that's with a shoddy defensive foundation to build from.
Especially given a first-rate skill of the "beast" that is Laporte is playing out from the back – something that is an intrinsic component to a Pep Guardiola system – could add a whole new dimension to a Spurs team desperate for a route back to prominence, his signature must surely be sought this summer.
And if Levy and Postecoglou can pull it off, Tottenham could craft a successful season for themselves and expunge the poignancy of a calamitous campaign.
Chelsea’s lack of goalscoring edge last season was their ultimate undoing across all competitions, but mainly in the Premier League.
They conceded 47 league goals, with only six teams conceding less, yet they managed to net just 38 times across 38 matches, with relegated duo Leeds United and Leicester City managing more, clearly showing where the problem lies at the club.
No player at the Stamford Bridge outfit netted more than ten goals while centre-forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Armando Broja scored just three goals and one goal respectively, albeit the latter missed 30 games last term having suffered a cruciate ligament rupture.
The Blues have been linked with Danish sensation Rasmus Hojlund recently according to the Evening Standard and he could cost in the region of £86m as Atalanta don’t want to let one of their prized assets leave unless a substantial offer is submitted.
There is no doubt Mauricio Pochettino needs an out-and-out striker ahead of next term and by signing Hojlund, they could be making a very shrewd investment, as he should only get better and better.
Could Rasmus Hojlund replace Armando Broja?
The Dane enjoyed somewhat of a breakthrough campaign during 2022/2023, for both club and country. He scored 16 club goals, adding in another seven assists for good measure, while the 20-year-old also netted five in just five matches for Denmark, including a stunning hattrick against Finland in March.
Could he, then, be an upgrade on Broja ahead of next season? Especially with Pochettino’s need for someone who is much more clinical in the opposition penalty area.
Last season, Hojlund registered more shots per 90 (2.58 to 1.84), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.75 to 1.22) and goals and assists per 90 (0.64 to 0.31) than Broja, clearly suggesting he could be a vast improvement to what the Argentinian currently has at his disposal.
Hojlund also managed to make 0.8 key passes per game and created one big chance, with Broja only making 0.1 key passes per game and failing to create a single big chance, albeit he played fewer matches.
Lauded as “scary quick” by journalist Sacha Pisani, his pace would clearly be another key feature of his game which could endear him to the Chelsea faithful.
Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund
The Danish sensation has also been dubbed as a “monster in the making” by talent scout Jacek Kulig and with his skills being on full display during his brief time in Serie A with Atalanta, Chelsea obviously feel that a move to the Premier League could take his game to the next level.
The Blues need to vastly improve their attacking output if they want to challenge for trophies next term. Signing Hojlund this summer would give them a major boost.
Leeds United could possibly "restructure" their recruitment approach under 49ers Enterprises, according to a key update from reliable journalist Phil Hay.
Who is replacing Victor Orta?
It's all change off the pitch at Elland Road currently, with 49ers' takeover completed earlier this month, ahead of what is hopefully a positive future for the club.
The hope is that Leeds will become a greater financial force, both in terms of bringing in new signings and developing the stadium and training facilities, although relegation from the Premier League certainly hasn't come at a good time.
Not only are Leeds searching for a new manager this summer, but they are in need of a sporting director, too, following the departure of Victor Orta after a lengthy and generally successful spell with the Whites.
It looks as though Leeds could potentially be closing in on the capture of highly-rated Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber, although it remains to be seen how long he could be brought in for. A new update has shed some light on the current situation, however, as the new owners look to make their influence felt.
Could Whites change their recruitment approach?
Taking to Twitter, The Athletic's Hay and Michael Bailey claimed that 49ers could make a short-term appointment as sport director, as they look to tackle a crucial summer at the club:
"There’s a temptation to restructure recruitment completely and while 49ers Enterprises wants a long-term project, it might go for a shorter-term appointment initially to manage this summer."
In the article, Hay goes on to add that Leeds could opt for a "like-for-like swap by finding another sporting director with overarching responsibility for the football side of the club, and transfers in particular", or someone who can fill in during the summer, allowing 49ers "time to implement a more concerted long-term strategy".
This is an intriguing update, and in truth, it is tough to predict which decision would make the most sense for Leeds. A short-team deal is unconventional, but one could look at Liverpool as a high-profile club taking this same tact, having brought in transfer guru Jorg Schmadtke for this summer only.
In terms of the future stability of the Whites, it would arguably be nice to have a set sporting director in place, rather than know that a short-term appointment will be leaving in the near future, but equally, if the owners think the second option is better for the club's success and their own plans moving forward, they have to be trusted.