Exclusive: Leeds set sights on three new signings
EXCLUSIVE By Wayne Veysey
Leeds United have set their sights on three new signings to plug possible major squad gaps in the final month of the window, Football Insider can reveal.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa and director of football Victor Orta are putting contingency plans in place in case of the departures of first-team stars Kalvin Phillips, Kemar Roofe and Kiko Casilla.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider the club do not want to lose either midfielder Phillips or striker Roofe but know they are vulnerable to bids while their futures are up in the air.
The Championship giants are willing to cash in on goalkeeper Casilla and, as revealed by Football Insider, are looking for a buyer for him this window as they prepare for him to move on just six months after signing him from Real Madrid.
Among the players targeted by Orta and Bielsa are Brentford midfielder Romaine Sawyers, who has already been the subject of a £2million Celtic bid as well as widespread interest from Championship big guns.
Leeds have also reignited their interest in Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow after placing him high on their shortlist of targets to potentially replace Casilla.
United are preparing for several different scenarios as they try and provide Bielsa, who take his squad to Australia for a two-match pre-season tour today, with a squad capable of going one better than last season and finishing in the top two of the league.
Phillips is in talks over an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2021, amid strong interest from Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Wolves.
Roofe has entered the final year of his contract and Rangers have sounded him out about a move while it was reported by Sky Sports yesterday that Crystal Palace and Brighton are keeping tabs on him.