Exclusive: Leeds United "concern" amid recent Everton and Rangers developments | OneFootball

Pundit Carlton Palmer has weighed in on the news that Everton are set to hire Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear

EFL pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer has weighed in on the news that Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear is set to join Everton this summer.

Exciting times are up ahead for the Toffees, who are moving into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the 2025/26 Premier League season.

The Merseyside outfit have also enjoyed an upturn in form under the stewardship of David Moyes, and have waved goodbye to any relegation worries.

There are also better times on the horizon at Leeds too, though, as the Whites are on course to seal their Premier League return at the second time of asking.

However, as reported by the Daily Mail, Kinnear is set to swap West Yorkshire for Merseyside ahead of next season.

Palmer reacts as Kinnear is set to swap Leeds United for Everton

The pundit exclusively told Football League World: "Leeds are on the verge of heading back to the Premier League, and on the back of this it's disappointing news, I think, for the football club that the CEO, Angus Kinnear, has been targeted by Everton Football Club and the Friedkin Group.

"He's the Leeds United chief executive.

"Everton have been working without a chief executive and are keen to appoint one before they enter the new stadium.

"Angus Kinnear has said that he's keen to stay and oversee Leeds' promotion back to the Premier League before going.

"But it's not as simple as that. Talks would need to take place between the two clubs over his exit.

"The 47-year-old has been identified as a number one candidate by TFG (The Friedkin Group) to come in and oversee them moving into their new stadium, 55,000 capacity.

"So, it's disappointing for Leeds United.

"Kinnear's been at Leeds since 2017, following four years at West Ham and a decade at Arsenal.

"But he's said it's not a given that he's going to go.

"It's not a given that he's going to go to Everton, but they're very, very keen.

"On top of that (there's) news coming out that chairman of Leeds United Paraag Marathe is also playing a key role in Rangers' takeover.

"It's believed that they're going to purchase a big stake in Rangers Football Club.

"I don't really know, we'd have to wait and see if that's going to be a problem for Leeds United.

"Obviously, to lose somebody like Angus, who has been involved in so many different facets of Leeds United Football Club, dealing with a host of different roles in his capacity as the CEO of the club, and he's seen a tremendous overturn.

"That would be a massive disappointment.

"Obviously, the interest that Paraag would have in Rangers.

"Is it possible to have an interest in two clubs and still follow that up?

"There is the right consortiums in place.

"Obviously, first and foremost, Leeds have to get back to the Premier League.

"But it is a concern because getting to the Premier League is one thing, staying there is another thing, and you need key components to do that and that includes a very, very good CEO and a very, very engaged chairman."

Leeds United may be concerned by Kinnear's Everton-bound exit

As outlined by Palmer, Leeds already have a lot on their plate this summer, assuming they win promotion, as they must ready themselves for the battle to achieve Premier League survival.

Furthermore, Whites chairman Marathe is currently in talks to complete a takeover of Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, so the argument could be made that the Elland Road club's owners, the 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group LLC, are not as focused on the Championship outfit as they normally would be.

Such developments, coupled with Kinnear's potential exit to Everton, would be far from ideal for the West Yorkshire side, who will be desperate to perform well in the Premier League next term.