Angus Kinnear assesses Leeds United's plans for upcoming summer transfer window

CHIEF executive Angus Kinnear has provided an update as to Leeds United's plans for the 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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Leeds 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.

RARELY SEEN: Leeds United's summer recruit Diego Llorente has endured huge frustration with injuries since signing for the club from Real Sociedad. Photo by Matthew Childs - Pool/Getty Images.RARELY SEEN: Leeds United's summer recruit Diego Llorente has endured huge frustration with injuries since signing for the club from Real Sociedad. Photo by Matthew Childs - Pool/Getty Images.
RARELY SEEN: Leeds United's summer recruit Diego Llorente has endured huge frustration with injuries since signing for the club from Real Sociedad. Photo by Matthew Childs - Pool/Getty Images.

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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"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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