Residents will now have to payResidents must now pay to have their brown bins taken away in the Moorlands(Image: Angela – stock.adobe.com)Families in the Moorlands must now pay to have their brown bins emptied. The £46 charge – the most expensive out of local councils – has come in today (June 29).The Sentinel had previously reported how Staffordshire Moorlands District Council had previously written to households warning them of the changes for garden waste collections. Meanwhile it also represents the most expensive out of local councils.Stoke-on-Trent City Council charges £42, the latest Newcastle Borough Council subscription is £43.59 while Stafford Borough Council charge families £43.50.The new charge for Moorlands residents is based on per bin so neighbours can share. Meanwhile those who don’t subscribe have been told they will need to keep their brown bins at their property.Those who do sign up will be sent a ‘garden waste permit’ to slap on the brown bin. Going live today the annual subscription will run through to June next year.A letter previously sent to households states: “Collecting garden waste is a discretionary service which the collection authority are permitted to make a charge for and, similar to local authority areas, the council has approved the decision to implement a charge to cover the cost of collection.”More on the subscription service can be found here.Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you – it’s FREEEnsure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search
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New North Staffordshire £46 bin charge comes in today
Universal unveils UK theme park name and logo as £7.3bn investment announced
The theme park will be named Universal United Kingdom Resort, with enabling works on the Bedfordshire site currently in progress and construction soon to begin.
Universal expects the site, the company’s first theme park and resort in Europe, to generate nearly £50 billion of economic benefit for the UK economy by 2055.The name and logo of the UK’s Universal theme park have been unveiled, as investments of £7.3 billion into the project were announced by the American company and the Government.The theme park is expected to attract millions of visitors each year including more than a million additional overseas visitors, with the resort set to become the UK’s most popular tourist attraction.
Comcast NBCUniversal has committed to invest more than £5 billion in the entertainment resort complex during the expected five years of construction, as well as an additional £1 billion in capital investment over its first 10 years of operation.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it was “one of the largest-ever investments in the UK tourism sector” and would bring nearly 20,000 jobs during construction and a further 8,000 jobs when the resort opens in 2031.An artist’s impression of Universal United Kingdom Resort (UDX Corporate Communications/PA)The Government will support the project with an investment of £1.3 billion on regional and local community infrastructure to “ensure the park can operate successfully, with improved transport links for local residents and visitors from across the UK and abroad”, DCMS said.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves visited the site on Wednesday morning and met some of the first workers employed on the project after being greeted by Mark Woodbury, chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations & Experiences.
Speaking to Mr Woodbury and Universal workers on her first visit to the site, Ms Reeves, who donned a hi-vis jacket and hard hat, said: “Thank you for choosing the UK.
“I know that you could have chosen locations in other parts of Europe.
“We’re really thrilled you’re going to be here and we’re determined to work with you to make it the massive success that I know it’s going to be.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited the site on Wednesday (Chris Radburn/PA)Mr Woodbury said the resort would bring “immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK”.
He told Ms Reeves the company was “ready to break ground and make this the most spectacular theme park in all of Europe, if not the world.”Molly Murphy, president of Universal Creative, said the company was “thrilled” to have the Chancellor visit to mark the beginning of enabling works on the site.
Asked why Bedfordshire was selected, Ms Murphy told reporters: “We chose Bedfordshire because it is an exciting place.
“There’s an amazing amount of creative talent in the UK that we can tap into and this place is a perfect location to build the greatest theme park in all of Europe, so we’re very excited about doing that.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited workers at the site of the theme park in Bedfordshire (Chris Radburn/PA)Following the site visit, the Chancellor and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hosted Brian Roberts, chairman of Comcast Corporation, and Mr Woodbury at 11 Downing Street to unveil the resort’s name and logo.
Mr Roberts said the company looked forward to “creating a spectacular destination that supports the UK creative industries and brings joy to millions for generations to come”.
The Chancellor said: “This landmark investment in the heart of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor will unlock nearly £50 billion of economic growth and create tens of thousands of jobs across Bedfordshire in construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectors.
“Our own investment in transport and infrastructure means that local people will benefit – improving connectivity, backing our creative industries, and bringing millions of visitors to the UK from across the world.”
The Chancellor said the investment will unlock nearly £50 billion of economic growth (Chris Radburn/PA)As part of the £1.3 billion investment, the Government will provide a grant of £400 million through the Exceptional Regional Growth Fund and DCMS will provide a grant of £438 million to invest in new community infrastructure to “maximise the benefits of the development and support growth across the region”.
These grants will be paid only once Universal has completed the community infrastructure (in the case of the DCMS grant) and officially opened the theme park and resort.The Department for Transport will also upgrade the strategic road and rail network, on the A421 and at Wixams train station at an expected cost of £474 million.
DCMS said Universal choosing Bedford for its first European park is “a testament to the strength of the UK’s visitor offering and creative industries”.
It added that Universal had “committed to world-class training opportunities for the next generation of its workforce, including through a range of apprenticeships and internships”.
Culture Secretary Ms Nandy said: “This unparalleled investment is a huge vote of confidence in the UK and puts rocket boosters under our entertainment industry.
“When it comes to creating world-class experiences, the UK is second to none. We’re proud to be backing British industry, investing in local talent and partnering with powerhouses like Universal to create jobs, growth and opportunities across the UK.”
More than 100 people in the UK have already been employed to work on the project, with Universal receiving expressions of employment interest from some 33,000 individuals.The Universal United Kingdom Resort’s logo (UDX Corporate Communications/PA)Around 80% of employees at the theme park and resort are expected to come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding regions.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairwoman of the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee, said the investment had “potential to provide a welcome boost to our tourism industry at a time when there are concerns that the policy landscape is making the UK a less attractive destination for overseas visitors”.
Dame Caroline added: “The Government must work with Universal to ensure the project brings long-lasting benefits, not just to tourism, but also to our wider creative industries.”
Universal theme parks in the US contain rides and attractions from its stable of big blockbusters and movie franchises, which includes Minions, ET and Jurassic Park, as well as Kung Fu Panda, Fast & Furious and Shrek.Universal currently has five entertainment and resort complexes around the world – Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the US, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Universal Beijing Resort in China and Universal Studios Singapore.
Hammerwich suffer narrow defeat against Wombourne – Lichfield Live®
HAMMERWICH’S wait for a win goes on after they suffered an agonising one-wicket defeat at home to Wombourne.
The hosts opted to bat first as they looked to halt a run of four games without victory, but lost John Jennings early on after he was bowled by Ben Jewkes.
Imran Qadir become the next victim of Jewkes as both openers were back in the pavilion with the score on 36-2.
Callum Brodrick was caught off the bowling of Ben Thomas after scoring 21 before Tom Wright was trapped lbw by Thomas.
With the score on 80-4, the Hammers had Andy Malkin and Scott Elstone at the crease – and the pair provided some stability with knocks of 29 and 71 respectively.
The Hammers eventually reached 189 before being skittled out.
In a close-fought encounter, Wombourne followed their hosts in making a stuttering start with the bat as Haider Pervaiz claimed the wickets of Sam Flavell and skipper Zachary Smith to leave the visitors on 29-2.
Jack Hussey dug deep to make 37 before he was trapped lbw by Jennings.
But Michael Hill’s 85 from 136 balls proved decisive as Wombourne reached 188 before he became the eighth wicket to fall.
Jewkes went for a duck as the Hammers sensed the victory might be within their grasp.
But Joel Craner’s crucial unbeaten five from seven balls saw his side over the line.
Hasnain Nawaz was the pick of the Hammerwich bowlers as he claimed figures of 5-53.
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More works planned for guided busway slammed as locals say ‘money thrown in pit’
Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways and Transport Committee is due to discuss new safety improvement works planned for the guided buswayDavid Prince and Cambridgeshire Live readers16:00, 28 Jun 2026The Cambridge Guided Busway opened in 2011(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)Cambridgeshire Live readers have been discussing the news that further improvement works are scheduled for the Guided Busway to maintain its safety. Councillors are set to consider the proposals at the upcoming Cambridgeshire County Council Highways and Transport Committee meeting.The council reports there has been “significant progress” on safety enhancements throughout the past year. New safety fencing along the southern stretch is nearing completion.To the north, work is progressing between Cambridge Regional College and Milton Road. Following this, contractors will proceed with installing separation fencing between Milton Road and Cambridge North station.Procurement for works along the route from Histon to St Ives is anticipated in summer 2026, with construction scheduled to begin from late summer that year. The council states the Busway, which connects St Ives and Cambridge, provides access to employment, hospitals, and educational facilities, while the adjacent path remains popular with walkers, wheelers, cyclists, and horse riders.Councillors will be asked on 30 June to approve continued delivery of safety works on the northern stretch. The £6 million cost will be funded from Major Infrastructure Reserves.Temporary 30mph restrictions will be reassessed as new safety measures are completed, with variable speeds of up to 40–50mph on the northern stretch where appropriate. Readers have expressed a range of opinions.Regarding future power systems, one reader, Orlockgrey says: “They should put overhead wires on, so we can run electric buses that aren’t weighed down by batteries. Also this would mean if we eventually decided to convert it to a light rail route, half the work will already have been done.”Whynot2 replies: “Would those electric buses have diesel engines in so they can be used on non-overhead lines? But who’s going to pay for it? Will it be bus passengers, cyclists or perhaps pedestrians who use it? No, it’ll be everyone, even those that don’t use it.”Orlockgrey answers: “Good idea – there are actually bi-mode buses in Boston that do this already. Public transport is essential for reducing traffic on the roads. Funding it helps the economy and makes the roads much nicer to drive on.”Rhodabike says: “More improvement works? For that, you first you need to have ‘some’ improvement works. None of the works to date has improved anything. Rather like most other council/GCP infrastructure ‘improvements’.”Freddly writes: “At least we seem to have moved on from blaming the bus franchise when people step onto the busway without looking. Good news also that the £6m cost is being met from Major Infrastructure Reserves, the Reserves might otherwise have been used on road projects that generate more car and van traffic.”Over on our Facebook page, John M comments: “Get the drivers to drive properly, not race to junctions and swerve onto guided tracks, last used scared me stiff.”Clare W asks: “Just curious as to why there are gaps between some of the metal panels where silly people can get through and on to the busway. I thought that was the whole point of putting them up to stop that.”Kelvin A-D says: “More taxpayers money thrown at the Moneypit. So much for it only going to cost £42 million and have a service life of 40 years (Council Statement at the Public Enquiry).”Are you happy that there is more improvement works scheduled to be carried out? Comment below or HERE to have your say.
Replacing Pascal Struijk: Leeds United expected to explore several targets ASAP – View
Leeds United have a huge hole to fill in the squad as left-sided centre-back Pascal Struijk leaves for Brighton in a £20million deal.
News broke on Saturday night that United have sanctioned a deal to see the longest-serving player in Daniel Farke’s squad leave.
A verbal agreement had been reached between the Whites and Brighton for Pascal Struijk to move for £20million. However, reports on Sunday evening revealed Leeds are actually banking £15million with a further £3million in add-ons.
The rationale for Leeds was Struijk’s reluctance to extend his contract beyond 2027, meaning Leeds either cashed in, or faced losing him for nothing in 12 months.
Now, the 49ers’ task is replacing what Farke described previously as one of the “cornerstones” of the club. Not only just a generally crucial figure in United’s squad, but a rare asset as a left-footed centre-back at the peak of his powers, tasked with a key role in our buildup.
So, it’s not a straightforward replacement job.
Here, I look at a host of individuals I think Leeds should have on the shortlist to replace Struijk…
Ladislav Krejci – Wolves
The most strongly linked name is Wolves and Czechia centre-back Ladislav Krejci. A similar age to Struijk, Krejci wouldn’t have huge resale potential at Elland Road, but would certainly fill the void left by Struijk.
While we’d be losing some of the upside of Struijk’s prowess on the ball, Krejci would improve Leeds’ athleticism down the left, as well as the 27-year-old’s impressive ability to attack set pieces.
Wolves’ relegation opens the door for Krejci to leave at a somewhat modest sum. He joins the Molineux club permanently this summer on a £26million obligation to buy.
You’d imagine Wolves would be happy to break even on that fee.
Maxime Esteve – Burnley
Staying with relegated Premier League talent, a name that’s warming to me the more I think of him is Burnley’s Maxime Esteve.
I think it’s really harsh to tar relegated players with the same brush as not good enough. James Justin falls into that category and is one of the standout signings we made.
Esteve at 23 has a very high ceiling, and would definitely look much more suited to a side not losing most weeks in uninspiring fashion.
Like Struijk, the Frenchman would take plenty of responsibility on the ball, as well as provide solid aerial presence. Importantly, Esteve would add much more pace to the side when covering wide areas.
Frustratingly, Esteve penned a five-year deal last summer, meaning he is contracted until 2030 and might command a handsome fee.
Jhon Lucumi – Bologna
On the other end of the contract situation is Bologna and Colombia star Jhon Lucumi, heading into the final 12 months of his deal.
A starring performance at the heart of a back four against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Lucumi could be exactly what Leeds need at the back.
Again, he’s comfortable having plenty of the ball, and a physically robust centre-back.
When exploring the options that would come within Leeds’ budget and not spill over into other priorities, Lucumi might be that man.
Tarik Muharemovic – Sassuolo
Staying in the Serie A, Sassuolo and Bosnia’s aggressive Tarik Muharemovic has experienced the best and worst of a World Cup group stage.
There’s been some superb box defending from the 23-year-old, while he missed their final game of the group stages after a red card against Switzerland.
At 6ft4in, Leeds could add serious height and physicality to the squad with the Bosnian. He’s another too, at 23, that has the upside of potentially being worth even more in years to come.
Albian Hajdari – Hoffenheim
Another aggressive centre-back is Hoffenheim’s Kosovan star Albian Hajdari, whose trajectory in the Bundesliga is only going one way.
He’s only been in the German top flight for one season after leaving Swiss side Lugano. But, he’s taken to the challenge of an elite league with relative ease.
Hajdari, 23, might be something of a risk after relatively little experience at the top level, though his start to life at Hoffenheim promises a lot.
Konstantinos Koulierakis – Wolfsburg
Also in Germany, Wolfsburg’s shock relegation is no doubt catching the eye of clubs across Europe to potential bargains.
22-year-old Greek centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis is one of those that could easily be offered a route to a better club.
A four-goal haul in the Bundesliga despite his side’s struggles is a worthy plus. Leeds are strong at attacking set pieces, so replacing Struijk with another formidable attacking threat would be superb.
Nathan Ake – Manchester City
Perhaps a bold shout, but Nathan Ake doesn’t look to be a core part of the plans at Manchester City, out of contract in a year.
18 appearances for Man City in the league last season suggests he could get more regular playing time elsewhere.
There’ll be plenty of interest in the Dutchman’s services, should he be free to leave the Etihad. However, we proved with Harry Wilson that we’re capable of muscling into these conversations.
As left-sided centre-backs go, Ake would be a statement coup to add experience and starting quality.
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Six defendants in North Staffordshire courts
They’ve all appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court or North Staffordshire Justice Centrestokesentinel Administrator16:00, 28 Jun 2026Kyle Varley, aged 22, denied assault by beating.Here are the latest cases from the region’s courts:KIDSGROVE: Eamonn O’Rourke, aged 36, and Karly Parfitt, aged 19, of Victoria Court, Kidsgrove, have both admitted three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on June 6, 2025. O’Rourke also admitted possession of the class A drug cocaine and possession of the class B drug cannabis on the same date. They will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in the week commencing August 10 after reports have been prepared on them by a probation service officer. Their bail was extended.LONGTON: Twenty-five-year-old Keeley Dwyer, of King Street, Longton, was convicted of possession of a knife or a bladed article in a public place at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on January 9. She will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on August 12, after a report has been prepared on her by a probation service officer. Her bail was extended.NEWCASTLE: Twenty-four-year-old Nicholas Goodridge, of Dunkirk Court, Newcastle, denies charges of controlling or coercive behaviour, strangulation, and making a threat to kill. His trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court has now been put back to January 4, 2028. It is expected to last three days. His bail was renewed.BLURTON: Thirty-seven-year-old John Teague, of Jesmond Grove, Blurton, has pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the class A drug cocaine to another between April 21, 2023 and November 6, 2023. He will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on July 7. His bail was extended.TRENT VALE: Twenty-two-year-old Kyle Varley, of Greyswood Road, Trent Vale, has denied a charge of assault by beating on November 30. His trial will be held at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on October 23 and his bail was extended.Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search
Transfer news LIVE: Man City steal march in Ayyoub Bouaddi race as Chelsea reject €27m bid
June 28th©IMAGO
The summer transfer window has officially opened and while the main attention is on the World Cup, clubs are working away on major deals. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer storiesManchester City have jumped to the front of the queue to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer. Reports suggest the Premier League giant are looking to strike a deal with Lille that will see the 18-year-old spent the season loaned back to his current club, before later joining City in 2027. The Morocco international has a market value of €50 million, with Lille looking to get around €70 million.
Chelsea are in talks with Serie A outfit Como over the potential sale of Trevoh Chalobah. The 26-year-old defender, who is currently at the World Cup with England, has attracted interest from the Italian side. They have offered a package worth €27 million, but Chelsea want a deal starting at 35 million.
Brighton have launched their bid to sign Italy sensational Honest Ahanor from Atalanta. The centre-back, 18, is viewed as a long-term replacement for Jan Paul van Hecke, who joined Tottenham earlier month. Brighton have submitted an offer worth €34 million, but their Italian counterparts are likely to demand a much higher fee.
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When you search for something on Google, you’ll see a box with the latest news alongside the usual results. If you set Transfermarkt as your preferred source, our content will appear there more often.Add Transfermarkt as your preferred source here.
EMAS declares critical incident after heatwave and NHS pressures drive ambulance demand | West Bridgford Wire
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust has declared a critical incident following sustained pressure on ambulance services and the wider NHS.The declaration was made at 2.30pm on Saturday, June 27, 2026.EMAS said the escalation follows a period of sustained pressure on ambulance services across the country, including within the East Midlands.Over the past 24 hours, the trust has experienced a significant increase in demand for its services, alongside ongoing pressure within the wider NHS and the additional challenges created by this week’s extreme heat.EMAS said these factors have combined to create a situation that has led to this level of escalation.In response, the ambulance service said it is continuing to work closely with NHS partners to help reduce risk to patients and maintain emergency ambulance availability.Actions being taken include working with hospitals to support the timely handover of patients so ambulance crews can return to responding to 999 calls.EMAS is also working with healthcare providers to direct patients to the most appropriate care for their needs when it is not a life-threatening emergency.The trust said it will continue to prioritise its response to the most life-threatening and serious incidents.In its announcement, EMAS said: “Like many across the NHS, EMAS colleagues have been working tirelessly to respond to patient need.“All available internal actions to mitigate risk have been taken.“Therefore, a critical incident has been declared to secure additional support and help reduce the risk of avoidable patient harm.”The public is being asked to help by using NHS services wisely and by taking regular medication to manage long-term conditions.EMAS said that if an illness or injury is not immediately life-threatening, people should seek alternative care through a pharmacy, urgent treatment centre, or general practitioner, including out-of-hours services.People are also advised to visit the NHS website for services near them.The trust added: “Given the additional weather-related pressures being responded to, please act responsibly and do not take unnecessary risks.”EMAS escalated to Resource Escalation Action Plan, known as REAP, Level 4 on Monday, June 22, 2026, in response to sustained pressures across the NHS and ambulance services.REAP Level 4 is the highest level of ambulance service escalation and indicates there is a risk of service failure unless immediate action is taken.The Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response framework describes a critical incident as: “Any localised incident where the level of disruption results in the organisation temporarily or permanently losing its ability to deliver critical services, patients may have been harmed or the environment is not safe requiring special measures and support from other agencies, to restore normal functions.”
National Highways update on reopening of major Cambridgeshire road after upgrade
The £1 billion scheme aims to improve journeys between Cambridgeshire and BedfordshireBlack Cat roundabout from Roxton Road bridge – A421 carriageway.(Image: National Highways)A roundabout is set to open by next summer, after works began in 2023. National Highways continues its work on the Black Cat roundabout on the A1.The £1 billion scheme is turning the roundabout into a three-tier junction, with a new A421 flyover above the roundabout and an underpass below it. It’s also extending a new 10-mile dual carriageway from the Black Cat roundabout to Caxton Gibbet.National Highways has given an update on the works and the road opening, which will be carried out in phases.A National Highways spokesperson said: “As construction moves towards completion, we’re pleased to share our plans for opening the new road and junction improvements that will help make journeys across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire quicker, safer and more reliable.“In spring 2027, we’ll open the majority of the scheme, including the new 10-mile A421 dual carriageway between Black Cat junction in Bedfordshire and Caxton Gibbet in Cambridgeshire. The final phase of the scheme will open in mid-summer 2027, when the new A1 underpass at Black Cat junction comes into use.“By opening the scheme in phases, road users will be able to benefit from the new road and junction improvements sooner, with safer, quicker and more reliable journeys between Milton Keynes, Bedford, St Neots and Cambridge.”The final part of the scheme – creating the A1 underpass – has been the “most complex” part of the project, National Highways said.The spokesperson added: “During construction, we discovered a higher than expected number of unrecorded underground services, including water, gas and telecommunications services, which needed to be safely moved before work could continue.”A further update on confirmed opening dates will be shared in early 2027.
Leeds United’s Dan James offload question, Julian Brandt’s Farke history and Harry Gray future
James Smailes Head of All Out Rugby League and Yorkshire sport at Reach plc07:00, 28 Jun 2026Julian Brandt has spent seven years with Borussia Dortmund(Image: Hendrik Deckers/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)Ahead of what looks like being a busy few days or potentially weeks as Leeds United bid to get some early transfer business done, our Leeds United reporter Isaac Johnson has been answering fans’ questions.Here is the second part of his Q&A with supporters, as featured in his free, weekly subscription newsletter.To subscribe to the Marching On Newsletter, click here.Chris: Is now the time to offload James and other fringe players?It depends which fringe players but for the most part, I’d say yes, now is the time to start being more cut-throat due to new Squad Cost Ratio [SCR] rules tightening spending margins.At the same time, the biggest hurdle is making sure you don’t make a loss on players.Admittedly Leeds probably are not worrying about this too much. The likes of Jack Harrison and Joe Gelhardt would not be of concern given their amortisation fee has long been paid.The only real loss dangers are Max Wober – who has played just 12 games in the past two years due to injury – and Isaac Schmidt, who also had a poor loan at Werder Bremen.As for Daniel James, I can’t see him going, for several reasons. Not least because he signed a new four-year contract last summer (albeit, yes, contracts hardly mean much these days) but also because he could yet have a role to play if the formation changes.Daniel Farke is a big fan of his and James is a fantastic back-up to Harry Wilson. James also needs a full season without injury to regain confidence – few clubs would be interested in him after last season’s record.More likely to go is Wilfried Gnonto, who will fall even further down the pecking list amid the pending arrival of Wilson, having only started three league games last season as it was.Anon: What’s the situation with Harry Wilson?Terms have been agreed but documents are yet to be formally signed. Wilson must complete his medical first, but there are not expected to be any hiccups.I have been told his proposed unveiling is not ‘imminent’ so it could be a case of next week – which would make sense given he is still under contract at Fulham until June 30. His free arrival means the summer transfer budget remains untouched.Fitzroybaggers: Does Julian Brandt have any ancient history with Farke?Not much, really. The most notable thing you can say is that Brandt scored against Daniel Farke’s Borussia Monchengladbach for Borussia Dortmund in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season.Obviously, the manager will know him well given their shared nationality. Brandt has 48 caps so is hardly a stranger in the German domestic scene. But as for direct history between the pair, there’s not so much.Alan Fowler: I personally think they should bring Harry Gray back into the squad now. I also think they need a quality number 10 and also a class centre back. What do you think?On Harry Gray, whilst I get the enthusiasm around him, it is still too early for a Premier League season. He’d only be a mere squad filler which would do his development no good – you need to build match experience.It’s important to remember that Gray, age 17, only has 21 senior career appearances and all but one of those have come at League One level. The boy’s got talent, and Leeds know that, but it’s about developing him carefully. I’d say a full-season loan elsewhere is more likely.On the number 10, I think you’re right, without question. A quality no.10 has been the biggest thing Leeds have lacked ever since Georginio Rutter left, and he wasn’t really a proper 10.Such a player, like Brandt, would enable Leeds to be much more flexible in formation, be it 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1 or even 4-3-1-2. This area, for me, is a must.As for centre-back, my personal view is that Leeds need another option even if Pascal Struijk does sign a renewal, should the back three system be retained.I know James Justin did amply well at right centre-back but going into a full season with just four natural centre-half options when – ideally – you’re using three at any given time is a bit risky.If Struijk goes then Leeds definitely need a senior option but if he stays then a better back up than Sebastiaan Bornauw would be a clever move. That said, there are only so many pennies that can be spent.Revielad: I don’t think Farke’s contract is important at all. In my view it’s in Leeds United’s best interests to let things run. Why would you negotiate new terms now? Giving him an improved contract may prove to be an expensive mistake.Daniel Farke has 12 months left on his contract as things stand / Credit: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFor me, there is far more danger in not handing Farke a renewal. If a deal is agreed then it gives more clarity and enticement for current options, namely Struijk, to pen new terms and also gives potential transfer targets more clarity. Not doing so only creates uncertainty and hesitancy.Paraag Marathe says renewal talks will happen at some stage and I’d take Ethan Ampadu’s new contract and Wilson’s forthcoming arrival as indicators as to how these discussions will go.The manager’s wages are not as hefty as players so the only real risk would be his compensation package if sacked plus the cost of hiring a replacement – all of which comes under the SCR spending umbrella.It could be a risk if things go south quickly, but that would be the case with any manager on new terms. Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace – these are all similar gambles. Leeds could deal with the financial turnover if the worst does happen.Leeinvan: I think the team needs at least three new starters, and all players that were loaned out last season should be sold for whatever you can get.It all depends who arrives ultimately, but you could be bang on the money with three new starters. Wilson looks to be one. A new goalkeeper, if sought after, could be another. And possibly a new midfielder? Leeds are, after all, in talks with Southampton over Shea Charles.That’s if Struijk stays, if not then it could be four. While fresh back-up left-back and striker options will likely be acquired, they might not start from the off.Dominic Calvert-Lewin will stay first choice while Noah Okafor and Anton Stach are staples, as of course is Ethan Ampadu. Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol can be confident of their spots too, as can Gabriel Gudmundsson while Jayden Bogle and James Justin fight for the right flank.As for the loan stars, I think the club will try and move them on but not all will be sold. It’s all down to interest in them, how much other clubs are willing to pay and what future Leeds see for them.It is feasible, for example, that Largie Ramazani is loaned out again given he has two years left on his deal while Wober will have very few takers. While Fiorentina are not looking likely to trigger Jack Harrison’s buy-out, there is an expectation he leaves.Joe Gelhardt will likely depart while Schmidt could be sold too. Mateo Joseph won’t be, though, with his anterior cruciate ligament injury keeping him in rehabilitation back at Thorp Arch for some time.But there is chance to get some cash through the door – the 49ers have made no secret that there will be sales this summer.
