Leeds United are set to sell one of their most important starters, and to a Premier League rival, no less. The Whites are on a mission to improve their squad this summer as they look to take the next step towards becoming a Premier League staple after securing safety with relative ease last season.

Daniel Farke shook off his reputation of getting promoted then struggling to keep teams in the Premier League last season, and he is to be rewarded with a significant budget this summer. The Whites are likely to spend, and they also managed to win the Harry Wilson lottery, landing the former Fulham star on a free deal after his superb campaign of last.

But there is a business element to squad building for all clubs, and Leeds have been forced into a difficult business decision this summer.

Struijk on his way out of Leeds

Pascal Struijk was a hugely important player for Farke last season, starting 33 of the 38 Premier League games for the Whites. But as he prepares to go into his final year of his Elland Road deal, Leeds have made the tricky decision to sell the 26-year-old centre-back

The Athletic’s Beren Cross reported: “Leeds verbally agree £20m deal with Brighton for transfer of Pascal Struijk. Formal offer to come, but negotiations concluded today. Leeds pitched new contract, but he wanted fresh challenge and they couldn’t risk losing him for free next summer.”

It’s a tricky deal for Leeds to swallow, given £20million is likely below realistic market value, but the contract situation means Brighton have been able to do a deal at a lower price.

But above all, it will be a big blow for Farke to have lost one of his starting centre-backs, and one who likely still has room to improve, given he is only 26 years of age.

What Brighton are getting in Struijk

Brighton have snapped up Struijk amid a big need at centre-back following the big-money sale of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham just a couple of weeks ago.

Naturally, Farke is a huge fan of Struijk’s, and he will be disappointed the club couldn’t agree a deal with the Belgian. He said of the defender during last season: “I think he was outstanding, top performance, really like a colossus in the defence, won many, many headers.

“But Pascal was very good on the ball, good in the build-up, important, also aggressive in defending forward, [and showed] good leadership. He was an outstanding player for us in the last season and has proven his worth.

“Of course, he’s a big leader also in the dressing room, but nowadays it’s not just up to one or two players, you need a core group who lead. Each and every player has to show responsibility, but of course, we have a good group of leaders.”

Manchester United have undergone one of the biggest behind-the-scenes transformations in the club’s modern history, with GIVEMESPORT understanding INEOS has introduced a significantly revamped recruitment structure since taking control of football operations.

Multiple sources have outlined how the Red Devils‘ transfer department now operates, with technical director Jason Wilcox holding ultimate authority over football recruitment decisions following a collaborative process involving recruitment, scouting, data analysis and negotiations.

The new model represents a major departure from the structure that oversaw recruitment at Old Trafford for much of the previous decade, with responsibility now spread across several specialist departments before final decisions are made.

How United’s recruitment process works

GIVEMESPORT understands the process begins by identifying the position or player profile the club is looking to strengthen.

From there, Christopher Vivell and his recruitment team take the lead in identifying suitable targets and gathering detailed information on players from across world football. Recruitment assessments are supported by reports from the club’s scouting network before discussions move to the next stage.

United’s data department also plays an important supporting role throughout the process. Rather than driving recruitment decisions, sources indicate data is primarily used to help build longlists, filter potential targets and provide additional analysis as discussions progress.

Kyle Macaulay oversees the club’s senior scouting operation, with his department feeding into the wider recruitment process alongside Vivell’s team.

Potential targets are then ranked and narrowed down before a final shortlist is agreed internally.

While the process is collaborative, GIVEMESPORT understands Wilcox has the final authority over football recruitment decisions.

Another key figure is director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves, who is understood to play a major role in managing relationships with agents and leading negotiations with clubs. Sources describe Hargreaves as having been involved in a number of successful negotiations in recent years, making him an integral part of United’s transfer operation.

Recruitment department has changed dramatically

The current structure bears little resemblance to the one that existed only a few years ago.

INEOS have overseen a substantial overhaul of the recruitment department, with the arrivals of Vivell, Macaulay and Director of Data Michael Sansoni among the most significant appointments as the club has modernised its football operation.

The changes have also coincided with the departures of several long-serving recruitment figures who played central roles under the previous structure.

Former head of scouting Steve Brown, technical chief scout Mick Court and head of recruitment analysis Mark Platt were all key figures in shaping recruitment strategy for much of the previous decade, while Dominic Jordan also held a senior role within the club’s data operation.

Elsewhere, experienced scouts Marcel Bout, Jim Lawlor, Simon Wells and Jose Mayorga have all departed as part of the wider changes behind the scenes.

The result is an almost entirely refreshed recruitment department compared to the one in place three years ago. While supporters naturally focus on who Manchester United sign each transfer window, the club’s biggest transformation has arguably taken place away from the pitch, where a modern, collaborative recruitment structure has been built to shape transfer decisions for years to come.

Sandro Tonali wants to ‘honour his word’ and sign for Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to reports in Italy.

Spurs have been heavily linked with a move for the Italian midfielder this summer, with the Lilywhites seeing an initial bid of £75million rejected by Newcastle United. The Lilywhites are even understood to have made a bizarre second bid for the Magpies midfielder, which was no higher than their initial bid. It was obviously rejected once more.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Tottenham plan on going back to Newcastle with another bid, with the Magpies looking for a total package of £100million to sanction a deal.

Tonali gets huge pay increase at Tottenham

via Reuters

According to Sky Sports Italy, Tonali has already “said yes” to Spurs with personal terms agreed for the 26-year-old to make the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer. Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla claims that Tonali will increase his Newcastle salary, which was for £8million-a-year to between £12million and £13million in N17.

The north Londoners need to come to an agreement with Newcastle over the fee and how it will be paid. GIVEMESPORT understands Spurs are willing to stretch to £85million with potential add-ons on top of that, which could convince Newcastle to sell.

Tottenham face plenty of competition for Tonali’s services, with Manchester City understood to be very interested in the player. City have been working on a deal to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116million, with add-ons taking that figure past the £125million British transfer record Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak last summer.

But City are keen to sign Tonali as well. Manchester United and Arsenal have also been named as interested parties, but Tonali has reportedly given his word to countryman Roberto De Zerbi that he will sign for Spurs this summer.

Speaking on his Caffe di Marzio podcast, Italian football journalist Gianluca di Marzio said that Tonali is “determined to honour his word to Roberto De Zerbi” that he will sign for Tottenham.

​​​​​​​Spurs in talks for a number of big-name signings

Tottenham’s owners are keen to back De Zerbi in the transfer market this summer, with four new signings already through the door. Three have arrived on free transfers – Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi – with Jan Paul van Hecke signed in a £52million deal.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Spurs want to make a ‘statement signing’ this summer and they are in talks, not only with Tonali, for upto £100million, but with West Ham over a move to sign Mateus Fernandes too. The Hammers star would cost upwards of £80million, meaning both players would break Spurs’ club transfer record were they to sign.