— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 1, 2020
They do. Chief executive Angus Kinnear revealed plans during the club’s centenary celebrations last October to increase the capacity at Elland Road to 50,000 once they were back in the Premier League. Also, earlier this month planning was approved for a joint venture in partnership with Leeds City Council and the Football Foundation for their £8million ‘Parklife’ community sports hub on land next to the stadium. The project, which includes four 3G artificial pitches and a pavilion with cafe, meeting rooms, gym, GP surgery and pharmacy, is the first step towards relocating the club’s Thorp Arch academy to another inner-city site close to Elland Road.
Do not expect Leeds to be big spenders this summer. They have already turned Helder Costa’s loan into a permanent £16million deal and will do the same with Illan Meslier (£5m) and Jack Harrison (£8m). Leeds could yet be legally bound to pay the £19m RB Leipzig are expecting to turn Jean-Kevin Augustin’s loan into a permanent move following promotion. The striker does not figure in Bielsa’s plans, but that uncertainty could impact on the Yorkshire club’s budget. Bielsa will want a centre-back given Ben White’s expected departure back to parent club Brighton, a striker and a specialist left-back, but he will keep faith with most of his small squad and new arrivals are expected to be initially on loan.