A full transcript of the Q&A our Leeds United club writer Beren Cross held yesterday on topics like Leeds United’s transfer strategy for the coming summer, the retained list, Archie Gray and Red Bull’s influence

F_Wilson6: “Afternoon, Beren. Is money available to be spent significantly this summer? For example, are fees of around £8m to £10m for a player unlikely? How many would you say we need incoming?”

BC: “Hello. Marathe told us last week the club ‘have the funds we need to do what we need to do.’ The chairman went further and said they are well-capitalised from an investment point of view too. Naturally, he would not put values on what they can afford per transfer, but he was very keen to stop us when we began to suggest this is going to be a summer of sales and minimal, cheap incoming.

“They feel bullish about being among the best next season. Marathe said: ‘Will we also have some inbounds? Absolutely. We have what we need to compete among the best.’

“For me, the quantity they need will be led by how many leave. Of the most-used players last season, Rodon has already left and Byram is the only other one with any imminent possibility of moving on. So, as it stands, the nucleus of last season’s squad is set to return for pre-season. If Meslier goes, they need a goalkeeper. If Summerville, Gnonto or Rutter leave, they need replacing.

Right now, they need a right-back, left-back, centre-back, number 10 and winger, for me.”

Harrisdews: “Afternoon, Beren. Which positions are Leeds looking to strengthen in the summer and which players have been linked most recently?”

BC: “Hello, Harris. There’s actually not been too many legitimate links with the Whites at this very early stage of the summer. Virtually every professional footballer is either on holiday right now or away on international duty, while club staff have one eye on their phones during holidays with their families.

“I would be very surprised if the defence was not on Farke’s radar. Rodon has gone back to Spurs and Cooper looks likely to leave this summer. Cresswell will hope for more game time, while Struijk should be back in pre-season. Ampadu can play there, but we know he was initially introduced as a midfielder by Farke.

“Right-back and left-back need reinforcing, while number 10 and a winger could do with bolstering too, in my opinion.”

Bobly53: “Hi Beren, do you know when the retained list will be out, please?”

BC: “We’re told it’s likely to be published at the back end of next week.”

WeRLeeds: “Have the board learnt their lessons from dishing out badly written contracts and not inserting an option to buy on loan deals? This alone has cost us millions and ultimately players in forced sales.”

BC: “Hello. In a word: yes. Ultimately, Radrizzani, Orta and Kinnear were calling the shots when those contracts were signed off. They preceded Farke and he has made it abundantly clear those clauses will never be used again while he is in charge at Elland Road.