David Prutton is of the opinion that Leeds United planning to move their training ground into the city shows that new owner Andrea Radrizzani is not at the club to just make a profit.

Currently Leeds train at Thorp Arch near Wetherby, but the club are keen to move closer to their Elland Road home, something also mooted by former owner Massimo Cellino.




Leeds City Council, who are aware of the Whites’ intentions, confirmed in a press release earlier in the week that they are to discuss opening talks with the Yorkshire giants regarding their new training site, provided the council's executive board give the approval.

The Matthew Murray site and Fullerton Park have been identified as two potential sites; while the former could serve as a training ground, Fullerton Park could host a Community Sports Village.
 


Radrizzani, who completed his takeover of Leeds in the summer, completed a deal to repurchase Elland Road from its private landlord in June.

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And Prutton thinks repurchasing the ownership of Elland Road and trying to move Leeds’ training ground into the city proves that Radrizzani is not thinking only about profit.

“The thing you can’t do is let nostalgia rule your head”, the former Leeds star wrote in his column in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“If it’s right to go then go.

“Hearing about the plans for a new base make me feel the same way I did when I heard that Andrea Radrizzani was buying back Elland Road.

“From what I can see he’s a man who wants to do more than pay lip service to the ownership of Leeds.

“He seems intent on delivering big deals and big projects; huge statements of intent, if you like.

“That’s important for two reasons.

“Firstly, Leeds stand to benefit from a much better infrastructure.

“But secondly, you don’t feel inclined to question Radrizzani’s motives for being here.

“If he’s buying Elland Road, if he’s moving Leeds away from Thorp Arch, if he’s wants to build a new sports village and has approached the council to help then it hardly paints a picture of a man who plans to sell up for a profit in 12 months.

“It would make no sense.

“A state-of-the-art training ground and a category one academy? What’s not to like if the club deliver on those promises?”

Former Leeds owner Massimo Cellino also favoured moving the club’s training ground closer to Elland Road.