Leeds United and especially the fans are facing a bit of a nervous time in the transfer market as their key players like Kemar Roofe and Kalvin Phillips are being linked with a move away from the club. Roofe is reportedly wanted by Crystal Palace and Brighton. Phillips is now attracting interest from Wolves and others as well.
One cannot ignore the lure of the Premier League, and the Whites are likely to face a tough few weeks ahead in the transfer window. Roofe’s situation is slightly more difficult as he is already in the final year of his contract. However, United’s Director of Football Victor Orta assured the fans that the two key players would sign a new contract and stay at the club until the next season.
Orta’s update on the duo
Asked about how the negotiations are going regarding Phillips’ contract, Orta said (Leeds Live), ”It’s not a negotiation. He is a Leeds United player and will be a Leeds United player for the season 19/20. Leeds United want Kalvin Phillips to stay next year 100 per cent. Personally, as Victor Orta, I believe [he will sign a new deal].” And when asked about Roofe he said, ”the same.”
Orta definitely sounds confident and optimistic even though various reports are currently doing the round that the two players’ future is uncertain. This is a positive piece of news for the club, and the fans might breathe slightly easy after this update from United’s Director of Football.
Kiko Casilla is another player whose exit was being mentioned at one point. However, Orta put those rumours to bed as well by adding, “I can say Kiko Casilla prefers to stay in Leeds United than the first division in Spain.”
Often chiefs from the club avoid saying things like this explicitly, especially when the transfer window is open. Therefore if he is so optimistic, then the fans can be assured that their key players are very likely to stay.
Bielsa staying was the key
The Whites will take a massive step towards promotion if they manage to keep their core intact. The club had already secured Marcelo Bielsa for another year even though the Whites missed out on the Premier League. The team could have capitulated if the Argentine manager had moved on in the summer. Moreover, his exit might have pushed certain players to move away as well.
One cannot guarantee anything in football, and the fact that Premier League clubs are eyeing a move for those two players could make the next few weeks interesting. However, all things look positive as of now, and the Leeds faithful should be optimistic about the likes of Roofe and Phillips staying.
