Pearson building backing for Leeds United

The deal with the Italian sportswear giant was announced last Tuesday afternoon and Pearson is now working hard behind the scenes to secure more key partnerships with businesses wanting to come on board with Leeds United.

On the likelihood of further sizeable commercial deals transpiring, Pearson added: “We have a whole host of them. Obviously, Kappa is our key partner and with the club sponsor, they are the new main partners we have to get right for the next five years.

“But we are still actively trying to put a partnership programme together and have six to eight key sponsors in different sectors to hang off the two main sponsors.

“There are some interesting deals coming to the table, for sure.

“We have got a lot to do on the commercial side and a lot of partnerships to put in place. But to be fair, they are starting to appear on the table. We have just got to make them big enough to be acceptable to the owner.”

Specifically on the Kappa deal, he continued: “It is about the right length of time for us.

“If you can have the shirt sponsor in place for a long time, it underpins your commercial activity and, hopefully, your partnership deals in other sectors can be a bit shorter to maximise the revenues.

“The owner’s relationship in Italy has been beneficial as has Kappa’s enthusiasm to get back in the UK market. It’s quite an opportune match.”

Meanwhile, reports in the north-east have suggested that Sunderland will target a move for Leeds United defender Sam Byram if they lose out to West Ham in their quest to sign Arsenal full-back carl Jenkinson on loan.

The Wearsiders have agreed a £2.5m deal with the Gunners to take Jenkinson on loan for next season, with the 23-year-old to consider his future after ending his England commitments at the European Under-21 Championships in the Czech Republic.

Jenkinson spent last season on loan at Upton Park and the Hammers are keen on re-signing the player, according to co-chairman David Gold. He commented: “We know we need a right-back and will work tirelessly to bring in Carl.

“If that does not work out, we have other irons in the fire.

“We said to Slaven (Bilic) ‘get your priority list and let’s see what we can do’.”

If the Hammers do pip Sunderland for Jenkinson’s services, the north-east outfit are likely to set their sights on Byram, who has been on their radar for the last year.

A £5m fee has been mooted for Byram, with Sunderland in the market for at least one new full-back, with the departure of out-of-contract Anthony Reveillere leaving Billy Jones and Patrick van Aanholt as the two specialists in that department.

United rejected a £4.5m bid for Byram, who has a year left on his Elland Road deal last August from Southampton.

Several other sides are keeping tabs on Byram.

Leeds players return to pre-season training a week today when the club’s new head coach, Uwe Rosler, will meet his charges for the first time at Thorp Arch.