Leeds City Council will discuss the possible construction of a new city-center training ground for League Championship side Leeds United "in a move which signals the club’s intention to move away" from its Thorp Arch base, according to Phil Hay of the YORKSHIRE EVENING POST. The council’s board will meet on Oct. 18 to review a recommendation that it "opens talks with United about building a training complex and community sports village on two sites close to Elland Road." An exec report submitted to the board "urged the council to engage United" and club Chair Andrea Radrizzani over relocating players and coaching staff from their current home near Wetherby. Radrizzani, who took full control of the club in May, previously spoke about moving United’s training ground back into the center of the city "as part of wider plans to develop the land around Elland Road." Council officials identified the former site of Matthew Murray High School as "a potential hub" for the club's first team and academy players. The council said that the project would "aim to provide Leeds' academy with category 1 status" under the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan, the highest grade attainable. United's academy currently holds category two status (YORKSHIRE EVENING POST, 10/10).
