McDermott in crunch money talks with Leeds owners

LEEDS UNITED manager Brian McDermott will meet with club bosses today in a bid to kick-start some transfer business – with a number of his summer targets ready and waiting to join.
Leeds United manager Brian McDermott.Leeds United manager Brian McDermott.
Leeds United manager Brian McDermott.

McDermott is seeking the green light from club owners GFH Capital to allow him to nail down several deals and he will attend a key meeting today with club chief executive Shaun Harvey and director David Haigh.

McDermott has lined up several deals, with the Whites boss now awaiting clarification from the owners to enable them to be completed.

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His targets are thought to include former Reading striker Noel Hunt and Bolton Wanderers centre-half Matt Mills – now being tipped to join United on a season-long loan with the Trotters keen to broker a compromise deal with Leeds having reportedly stalled at their £1m asking price.

McDermott, now resident full-time in Yorkshire following his summer break and keen to complete some incoming activity before the start of pre-season training in a week’s time, said: “We have had things in place for quite a while now. I have a meeting (today) for us to get the go-ahead to really nail these deals down. It’s really important we get things nailed down now.

“I want as many of the players in as I can for pre-season.

“Shaun has been working hard speaking to agents and I have spoken to players and stuff. We have to get the go-ahead to do the deals now.

“We have (verbal) agreements with certain players. But obviously you have to get an agreement with the player’s agent on a contract and an agreement if there’s another club as well.

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“As far as players are concerned, we have got agreements that they do want to come. And what I have found is that players are very, very keen to come to Leeds. For obvious reasons, really. I now need clarification from the owners that the deals will be done.

“That’s important and one of the reasons I will be having a meeting with Shaun and the owners to get clarification and get these deals done.

“We did a lot of our work early and players are in place, if we can get the deals done. Full stop, that’s it. It’s very simple – have we (got) the finances to do the deals, can we do the deals? Players are in place and we have targets lined up if we can do the deals.”

McDermott added: “I do not have a number (in terms of targets). But it’s not just about the number, but who I believe can fit into the squad and make the difference for us.

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“It’s not just about numbers, but that little bit of quality that comes with certain players.

“Some of these players have been in this position and know how to get out of it and what is required to play in this division.

“I have targeted players who know the division and others who I think will be good for the future if we have an amount of money to spend and who will be fantastic assets for our club.

“Once we get that green light, it will enable us to go ahead and really force the issue. I am confident these players will want to come to Leeds United.”

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