Angus Kinnear assesses Leeds United's plans for upcoming summer transfer window
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Leeds brought in four new faces during last summer's transfer window as director of football Victor Orta and his team recruited club record signing Rodrigo plus winger Raphinha and centre-backs Robin Koch and Diego Llorente.
Former loanees Illan Meslier and Helder Costa were also signed on permanent deals whilst Jack Harrison was loaned from Manchester City for a third season as newly-promoted Leeds planned for their first season back in the Premier League under chairman Andrea Radrizzani after a 16-year wait.
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Hide AdLeeds spent around £100m but Koch and Llorente in particular have experienced frustrations with injuries since signing and CEO Kinnear says there is consequently more to come from within - in addition to the opportunities for United to strengthen again next summer.
Speaking on The Official Leeds United Podcast, Kinnear was asked if there were any ideas about positions that needed strengthening in the summer and said: "Victor and his scouting team work all year round on their assessment of the market.
"And I think our plan with what we did last summer was to build a team that could be the basis for sustained success in the Premier League so it wasn't 'let's build something that can keep us up, let's build a team that can develop.'
"I think when you look at the signings, I'm not sure Llorente and Koch have played more than about ten minutes together.
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Hide Ad"I'm not sure those two have played in the same team as Rodrigo so I think there's still a lot more to come from the players that we signed, particularly at centre-half.
"I think Raphinha will get better and better.
"I think we're in good shape, but I think there will be opportunities to strengthen and Victor has those conversations with Marcelo and Andrea and there are plans.
"The market's changing and I think we decided that January, to be honest, as I think most of the Premier League did, was a particularly bad time this year due to the pandemic and how the market was looking, but I think the vision is to strengthen year on year."
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Thank you Laura Collins
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