Leeds finalise new sponsorship and look to offload loan players

Leeds United are set for a multimillion pound cash injection this week, less than a fortnight after being saved from administration.

Leeds United are set for a multimillion pound cash injection this week, less than a fortnight after being saved from administration.

The relegation threatened club are to announce a new kit sponsorship deal with the Italian sportswear firm Diadora, understood to be worth at least £15m, although clauses could push the figure higher.

Leeds' five-year arrangement with Nike is due to end this summer, and in the wake of their decision not to renew the deal, the Yorkshire club have been in negotiations with Diadora for some time.

Discussions continued yesterday morning, for although the length of the contract, likely to be five years, has been agreed, there remain a few details which need to be resolved.

"Negotiations are at an advanced stage and there are now just one or two minor points we are working on, but we're hopeful of announcing the deal later this week," David Richmond, Leeds' marketing and commercial director, said.

Providing all goes to plan and there are no late hitches, the club are looking at a launch date of early June.

The agent Willie McKay is due to discuss with Leeds their plans regarding four of his players who are on loan at Elland Road, Salomon Olembe, Didier Domi, Lamine Sakho and Zoumana Camara.

Leeds have option-to-buy clauses on the quartet who all joined the club last summer on season-long deals. However, it is almost certain that they will be released at the end of the campaign.

Geoffrey Richmond, who is working as an unpaid advisor to Leeds, recently stated the club will save £11m in wages once the loan players - including Jermaine Pennant and Steve Caldwell - and the out-of-contract players David Batty, Jason Wilcox, Michael Bridges and Lucas Radebe are off the books.

Only the Cameroon international midfielder Olembe, who is available for just over £2m, is attracting any attention.

McKay confirmed: "There is interest from a few clubs in Salomon, but not in the others as yet. It may be they will have to return to their clubs in the summer, although Didier has recently been playing for Leeds and doing well.

"There is the option-to-buy clause and it could be Leeds may want to extend his loan deal for another season. But I'm sure Didier would want something much longer."

McKay added: "I know Salomon is keen to stay in England, and there is a chance as Charlton, Bolton, Blackburn and Celtic have all been watching him."