Kieran Maguire tips Leeds United to ’emulate Liverpool’ this summer as 49ers news emerges
Leeds United will look to emulate Liverpool’s data-driven approach to recruitment when the San Francisco 49ers take full control of the club.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the latest from behind the scenes at Elland Road.
The 49ers own 44 per cent of Leeds and have steadily increased their equity since they first formally invested in the club in May 2018.
Per The Telegraph on Tuesday (24 May), the NFL franchise now want to take full control of the club this summer.
That would mean buying out Italian businessman Andre Radrizzani, who has been the Whites’ majority shareholder since January 2017.
While independently wealthy, Radrizzani does not have the same level of financial clout as the 49ers.
But Maguire suggests that Leeds would not go wild in the transfer market should the American stakeholders take full control.
“I suspect the 49ers will embrace the spend smarter rather than spend bigger model,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“They have seen the success of the likes of Liverpool. Their recruitment has been about as close to perfection as it’s possible to be. Leeds will want to emulate that.
“The challenge is that there is a fixed number of footballers to go around. There are also only so many data analysts who have the skills to help recruit the right player.
“But in any case, I think that it is the road the 49ers are likely to go down.”
Leeds’ net transfer spend for 2021-22 was approximately negative £53million.
They finished 17th in the Premier League, escaping relegation on the final day.
In other news, Noe Whelan claims Jack Harrison is thrilled by confirmed Leeds United news.