'Improved tenfold' - Jermaine Beckford hails Leeds United business and makes Whites prediction faced with top-four question

Leeds shelled out close to £100m during the summer's international transfer window with United signing Spanish internationals Diego Llorente and Rodrigo plus German international Robin Koch and Brazilian winger Raphinha.

Former loaness Helder Costa and Illan Meslier also joined the Whites on permanent deals with Leeds also reloaning Manchester City winger Jack Harrison and signing a host of talented youngsters for the longer term.

Despite being faced with clashes against defending champions Liverpool and also Manchester City in their first four games, Marcelo Bielsa's side have already amassed seven points out of a possible 12 and, speaking on Sky Sports, Beckford even mentioned the Whites when asked to assess Arsenal's prospects of finishing in the top four.

As part of a light-hearted exchange, the former Whites favourite was then given time to clarify his opinion that ultimately Champions League qualification might be a step too far but on a serious note Beckford expects Leeds to have a strong season and finish in the middle of the pack.

"There are a lot of clubs this season so far this summer window that have strengthened really, really well," said Beckford, speaking on Sky Sports' The Football Show.

"And Leeds United have been one of those.

"Leeds have got two Spanish internationals, they have got a German international and a Brazilian guy in winger Raphinha who they have just bought in as well.

"They have improved tenfold the quality of the squad and with a coach like Marcelo Bielsa who demands nothing less than 100 per cent commitment, focus and work rate those players are only going to get better and they are only going to improve the current playing squad as well.

"Do I think Leeds United will finish top four this season? I don't think so but I do think it is going to be a hugely successful one nonetheless.

"I have said it many times before and not just because of my allegiance to Leeds United that I think Leeds will finish mid-table which will be an amazing achievement.

"First and foremost it's about staying in the Premier League and then building again for another push the following season and it's just about improving season on season and I think Leeds United have a manager and an owner that are absolutely 100 per cent behind making that a reality."

Asked initially if Mikel Arteta's Arsenal would seal a top-four finish, Beckford reasoned: "Top four I think will be a bit of a stretch when you take into account how well Liverpool and Man City did last season, the strengthening process at Chelsea, at Spurs as well.

"Spurs have done really really well this window.

"I know it's one of my clubs as well but Leeds have strengthened really well and they have taken everybody by storm.

"Leicester, obviously Everton, Aston Villa are even up there.

"I'm not saying they are definitely going to stay up there but I'm saying there's so many teams that are playing with a different and newfound confidence right now that I think will be a big ask for top four (for Arsenal).

"I think possibly top six could be a shout and it would still be an improvement on the back of last season as well.

"Mikel came in midway through the season, he took the club from having no direction under Unai Emery to playing an exciting brand and an exciting type of football.

"He's got players really wanting to work hard for him which they never used to have under Unai Emery so I would say top six is something they should be looking for."

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Thank you Laura Collins