The San Francisco 49ers are ready to back Andrea Radrizzani to continue transforming Leeds United, according to former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan.

Leeds have spent unprecedented sums of money at Elland Road since returning to the Premier League before the 49ers increased their stake in the club to 44% in November.

In the January that followed, no new players were added to the senior squad, however, first-team stars such as Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha were linked with big-money moves. [Guardian].

West Ham have been linked with Phillips but Jordan believes the Whites have the potential to be a much more attractive proposition than the Hammers if investments continue to be poured into the team.

“I’m a big fan of Leeds United Football Club,” Jordan said on talkSPORT on Wednesday. [23 March]as indicated on the radio’s Twitter account.

“I realize they’ve been out of the Premier League for a long time, so their status as a club of importance has diminished considerably. And of course West Ham are a London club.

“But if Leeds can pull themselves together, they have new shareholders in this business who are Americans who will put money behind Radrizzani and continue to grow the club.

“They’ve had a tough season this season and they need to focus on the here and now.

“Losing players like Kalvin Phillips is not an option for them.”

Phillips must stay

We’ve heard a lot about Raphinha’s future at Leeds United lately and while we’d be disgusted to see him go, the club could survive without him.

However, Phillips is the linchpin of this team and it shows in the fact that we really struggle to win every time he’s out.

Phillips is a childhood Leeds fan who has been there, done this and got the t-shirt. He loves this club and he will always invest 110%.

However, the England midfielder has naturally linked up with other clubs as well.

West Ham can get lost though. Why the hell would he go there?

West Ham’s ship sailed in January when they failed to sign players; their lack of ambition led the Hammers to drop out of the race for the top four.

Phillips is good enough for one of the Premier League’s so-called big six clubs – he’s far too good for the Premier League’s West Hams and Aston Villas.

We don’t think he will go this summer. Raphinha might, but Phillips, we pray, doesn’t.

In other Leeds United news, Los Blancos could offer this England central midfielder a transfer this summer who is a ‘joy to watch’.