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The summer transfer window is in full swing and Celtic have just under one month left to complete any remaining business that they would like to do.

Who has left Celtic this summer?

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers was hit with a blow last month as Portuguese winger Jota completed a £25m transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.

Reserve players Osaze Urhoghide, Conor Hazard, and Vasilios Barkas have also departed on a permanent basis, whilst central midfielder Aaron Mooy retired after one season in Scotland.

Another player who could be on his way out of the club before the window slams shut is central defender Liam Scales, who has been with the first-team squad in pre-season, and he could be instantly replaced by Celtic signing Xavier Mbuyamba.

The Daily Record recently reported that Aberdeen are interested in signing the Irish enforcer following his spell on loan with the club during the 2022/23 campaign.

They were prepared to sign the 24-year-old ace at the end of last term but were not able to match Celtic's valuation, which has led to a second loan deal being the most likely option at this stage. Although, the outlet stated that no final decision has been made by the Scottish Premiership champions.

His exit, particularly if Carl Starfelt also departs amid interest from Spartak Moscow, would open a space in the squad for another centre-back to come in and Mbuyamba could be an excellent addition to the side.

How good is Xavier Mbuyamba?

The towering 6 foot 5 defender, who is also reportedly a €2.5m (£2.1m) target for Sampdoria, has been linked with a move to Parkhead this summer after an impressive year in the Netherlands with FC Volendam.

His Eredivisie performances suggest that he has the potential to be an upgrade on Scales for the Hoops in order to provide competition for the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki for Rodgers.

Mbuyamba, who was once dubbed "elegant" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, made 28 league appearances last season and caught the eye with his defensive quality at the back.

He averaged an outstanding 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game for his side, which is more than any current Celtic central defender managed throughout the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership campaign.

Scales, meanwhile, made 2.9 tackles and interceptions per match for Aberdeen during his loan spell, which suggests that the Dutch titan could increase the Hoops' domination in matches by regaining possession more frequently than the ex-Shamrock Rovers star.

The Volendam colossus also averaged more clearances (5.4) and ground duels won (2.8) than Scales did for the Dons (5.1 and 2.4).

These statistics suggest that the 21-year-old, who is three years younger than the current Bhoys defender and has more time on his hands to develop, could provide more defensive solidity due to his ability to intercept opposition attacks and clear danger.

Mbuyamba could also provide Rodgers with more of a threat at the other end of the pitch.

The former Chelsea prodigy scored five goals from centre-back last season for Volendam, which is two more than any of Celtic's players in that position last season and four more than Scales.

This means that he could improve the club's output from set-pieces due to his knack for getting on the end of crosses, using his staggering height, to nod in goals.

Therefore, the ex-Barcelona giant could be an instant and exceptional replacement for Scales if the Irish battler returns to Aberdeen for a second spell, due to his age, defensive ability, and goalscoring potential.

Everton are still in the hunt to sign Almeria forward El Bilal Toure in the summer transfer window, according to an update from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Do Everton want to sign El Bilal Toure?

The Blues are in desperate need of a positive summer when it comes to incoming business, in order to avoid yet another Premier League relegation battle next season. They stayed up on the final day last time around, following a 1-0 victory at home to Bournemouth, and while there was obvious happiness and relief from supporters, it is a situation that cannot afford to keep happening.

Everton struggled in various areas of the pitch in 2022/23, but they were arguably at their most disappointing in attack, with a lack of quality and firepower on show far too often, scoring only 34 times. The need to bring in at least one new forward this summer is plain to see, and one player they have been linked with signing is Toure.

The 21-year-old scored seven goals in just 15 La Liga starts for Almeria last season, also chipping in with two assists, and he looks like a young player with plenty of potential. His current contract runs out in the summer of 2028, however, so his current club are in no rush to sell him at all, and can instead demand a healthy amount of money for his services.

While Everton are yet to seal the signing of Toure, hailed as a "major talent" last summer by 90min's Graeme Bailey, in the current transfer window, it is a rumour that is refusing to go away, as things stand.

What's the latest on El Bilal Toure to Everton?

Taking to Twitter, Romano gave an update on the current situation surrounding Toure, saying Atalanta are eyeing a move for him but that Everton are also still in the mix:

"Atalanta are pushing to sign El Bilal Toure from Almeria, revealed as top target one month ago. Negotiations are ongoing but Everton interest remains.

"Atalanta want Toure as priority but new striker has to join ASAP in any case because Man Utd will bid for Hojlund soon."

It clearly isn't going to be easy for Everton to sign Toure this summer, with Atalanta an attractive proposition who are superior to the Blues currently, but there is always the lure of the Premier League that can be great for any player, given its reputation as the best and most competitive division in world football.

The 15-cap and five-goal Mali international is someone who could be such an exciting addition to Sean Dyche's squad next season and beyond, given his age, and he could help solve the goal-shy issue that held Everton back too often last season, and arguably has done for a lengthy period of time now.

Admittedly, it would be unfair to expect fireworks from Toure every week, considering he is still an emerging talent who is honing his skills, but his young energy and eye for goal are both things that could help take the Blues up a much-needed gear moving forward, as they look for a far better campaign this time around, pulling away from the relegation zone in the process.

It has been a summer of significant change for Celtic since they beat Inverness at Hampden to secure the domestic treble for the 2022/23 campaign at the start of June.

Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou decided to depart shortly after the end of the season to join Tottenham Hotspur and has been replaced by Brendan Rodgers, who is now in his second spell at Parkhead.

There have also been alterations within the squad as Jota completed a permanent move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad, whilst Aaron Mooy confirmed his retirement from football.

The club have reacted to those departures by completing deals for a host of fresh faces, including Hyun-jun Yang, Marco Tilio, and Odin Thiago Holm who bolster their options in midfield and out wide.

Another change that could take place heading into next season is a switch from Postecolou's preferred 4-3-3 system to Rodgers' favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.

This could open up the door for Scotland international David Turnbull to return to prominence as the 24-year-old, who is a number ten by trade, only started six Scottish Premiership matches throughout last season.

The ex-Motherwell ace averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.47 – the highest at the club – during the 2020/21 campaign as he produced nine goals and 12 'big chances' created whilst mainly being deployed in his favoured position.

Further to this, the 4-2-3-1 set-up could also provide a pathway for B Team star Rocco Vata to make his breakthrough at first-team level as an attacking midfielder and ultimatelly Turnbull's heir.

What is Rocco Vata's style of play?

The 18-year-old maestro, who has been capped by Ireland's U19 side, is a number ten who likes to find the back of the net on a regular basis, whilst also being able to play out wide or through the middle as a number nine.

Vata has been in senior training with Celtic this month and Rodgers commented on his talent by stating: "He's strong, quick, he wants to score goals."

This is backed up by the teenage wizard's form for the academy team last season. He racked up nine goals alongside one assist in 16 Lowland League matches, which proved that the promising technician can compete against senior professionals, albeit at a fifth-tier level.

His B Team form caught Postecoglou's eye as the Australian handed him four Scottish Premiership appearances last term, in which the Hoops prodigy was able to showcase his creative ability with two 'big chances' created in just 44 minutes of action.

Youth coach Dara O'Dea claimed that Vata has a "killer attitude that never stops" which bodes well for his chances of eventually breaking into Rodgers' squad on a regular basis with it looking as though he boasts the mentality ito keep pushing himself to develop.

Therefore, the Irish youth international, who talent scout Jacek Kulig stated has an "exciting future", could grow into a dream Turnbull heir for Rodgers at Celtic.

Indeed, the potential is there for Vata to be an attacking midfielder who can make a big impact at the top end of the pitch as a crative magician possessing the quality to score goals and create 'big chances' week-in-week-out for his side.

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.

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.

Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion have a "great relationship" and are "talking about a deal behind the scenes" for Ecuadorian superstar Moises Caicedo, claims transfer insider Ben Jacobs.

It's hoped that the informal conversations between the two sides will increase the likelihood of an official bid being accepted at the first time of asking.

Chelsea transfer news – What's the latest on Moises Caicedo to Chelsea?

There's no such thing as a quiet transfer window at Stamford Bridge, and that has once again been borne out this year, with the West London club engaging in something of a fire sale over the last few weeks.

The club have shipped off several players from the team that helped them win their second Champions League two years ago to the ludicrously wealthy Saudi Pro League while seeing academy graduates Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount join AC Milan and Manchester United, respectively.

There have also been a few incomings in the guise of Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig and youngster Diego Moreira from Benfica B.

However, the biggest signing the Pensioners look set to make over the coming weeks is midfield maestro Caicedo, who has been hailed as the "crown jewel", with the Guardian reporting that the Seagulls want £100m.

What has journalist Ben Jacobs said about the situation surrounding Moises Caicedo and Chelsea?

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "The clubs have got a great relationship and rather than going back and forwards with formal offers, they're very much talking about a deal behind the scenes to try and see what is possible, verbally and slightly more informally.

"So, when, and I think it is fair to say when, Chelsea place a formal offer, again, for Moises Caicedo, there's a higher confidence that there'll be a framework there for success or just an offer actually being accepted.

Who are Chelsea's most expensive signings ever?

Chelsea are a club that has become synonymous with free-spending and extravagance since their takeover by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003.

That hasn't changed under their new owners and Todd Boehly; if anything, they're spending more, breaking the record for the most amount spent in the January transfer window earlier this year, forking out an eye-watering £323m on eight players in just a month. So who are their three most expensive signings ever?

In third spot is new boy and Ukrainian international Mykhailo Mudryk, who joined Chelsea this January in a deal work £88.5m after being heavily linked to Arsenal for much of the preceding month.

It's fair to say that things haven't gone entirely to plan for the tricky winger yet, as other than a brief cameo against Liverpool in February, he is yet to show fans why he cost as much as he did, with no goals and just two assists in his 15 Premier League appearances.

Coming in at number two is Belgian international Romelu Lukaku, who the Blues spent a hefty £97.7m on to prise from Inter Milan, something they undoubtedly regret doing now.

To say the former Everton man's time in West London has been a disaster would be an understatement, as, after a poor first season at the club, he was immediately loaned back to Inter, who now look set to re-sign him for a fraction of what they sold him for.

And Chlesea's most expensive signing in the club's history is another new boy, World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez who cost a whopping £106.8m from Benfica.

Unlike Mudryk, Fernandez has already shown some promise in midfield and, under Mauricio Pochettino, could flourish and end up being well worth the massive outlay the club paid to get him.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.