Monday Morning Hot Links
Leeds United
The Yorkshire Evening Post has the full run-down of Pre-Season Day 1.
New defender Sebastiaan Bornauw admits that his fitness levels aren’t where they need to be, but he (and the rest of the team) are ready to get after it in Harsewinkel, Germany. Yes, Harsewinkel.
6’4” midfielder Anton Stach is apparently with the club in Harsewinkel undergoing a physical and could fully join the club in the next 24 hours to begin the first of a four-year deal with Leeds United. In that link we find that Fulham have allegedly given the green light for Rodrigo Muniz to leave after having made progress on bringing in Brazilian striker Romulo. Leeds are hoping that a bidding war for Mateo Joseph will fund the Muniz purchase.
With Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, and Ilia Gruev in the fold, the arrival of Anton Stach would mean that the midfield rebuilding job is pretty much done, having replaced departures Joe Rothwell and Joshua Guilavogui with Sean Longstaff and, presumably, Stach.
Despite reports that Olympique Marseille are well on in a deal for injured Feyenoord forward/winger Igor Paixao, Leeds do still believe they have a chance.
Leeds are apparently interested in Former Barcelona/Chelsea 19-year old striker Marc Guiu.
Elsewhere
Does the arrival of Hugo Ekitike mean that Liverpool manager Arne Slot is reverting back to Jurgen Klopp’s tactics? Meanwhile Liverpool are trying to hijack Arsenal’s deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo out of revenge and spite.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says the club “100%” followed protocols regarding accused rapist Thomas Partey but it’s pretty clear to me (and likely anyone else paying attention) that Arsenal only gave up on Partey once he was out of contract, and shielded him up to that moment.
The hell is happening with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak?
Manchester United may have blown their chance with Viktor Gyokeres thanks to how Ruben Amorim dumped Gyokeres buddy Victor Lindelof.
Nottingham Forest are the front-runners to sign Aston Villa/England midfielder Jacob Ramsey.
Josh Windass has agreed to a deal with Wrexham. Windass.
What To Watch: Monday
4pm (Central): Women’s Copa America: Argentina v Peru. FS1.
7pm: Women’s Copa America: Chile v Ecuador. FS1.