Everton sources address reports Angus Kinnear is set to join from Leeds United

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Leeds United took one big step towards Premier League promotion by beating Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Monday night.

But, while Leeds still have a way to go before they can secure their escape from the Championship, it appears that one key cog in the Elland Road machine already has all-but guaranteed himself a role in England’s top flight for 2024/25.

Reports emerged via the Daily Mail on Wednesday afternoon claiming that Angus Kinnear, the highly-regarded chief executive of Leeds United, is set to join Everton this summer.

After purchasing The Toffees from Iranian shipping magnate Farhad Moshiri, the Friedkin Group are looking for a new CEO to spearhead their attempted revival of one of English football’s great underachievers.

And it appears they have found one in the shape of Kinnear.

Everton confident about taking Angus Kinnear from Leeds United

Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has exclusively told Leeds United News that Everton now believe a deal to bring Kinnear to Merseyside is done. The Toffees also insist he was always their first-choice pick.

We reported just last week that, behind the scenes at Everton, the feeling was that Angus Kinnear was interested in a fresh start away from Leeds.

And while he remains very well respected by the San Fransisco 49ers and chairman Paraag Marathe, not to mention minority investors Red Bull, there is a real confidence now on Merseyside that Kinnear will be in the building for the start of next season.

Everton are set to move into their new Bramley-Moor Docks stadium in the coming months.

Thanks largely to the extraordinary impact club legend David Moyes has made since returning for a second spell, The Toffees’ final season at Goodison Park should now be free of the sort of relegation catfight that has dogged Everton in recent years with attention tentatively turning towards a summer rebuild.

Interestingly, The Mail add that the Friedkin Group also considered Alistair Mackintosh of Fulham and Vinai Venkatesham. He, like Kinnear, spent time working behind the scenes Arsenal, operating as their chief executive from 2020 to 2024.

The man who has helped turn Leeds United from Championship also-rans into second-tier champions and briefly Premier League surprise packages emerged as Everton’s primary target, however, ahead of both Mackintosh and Venkatesham.

Kinnear played key role in silencing Daniel Farke doubters at Elland Road

It is expected that Kinnear will remain in West Yorkshire until the end of the current campaign, however, in order to oversee Leeds’ latest attempt at promotion.

A one-time West Ham executive, Kinnear was one of Daniel Farke’s most outspoken backers at a time in which the head coach was coming under scrutiny from sections of the fanbase.

Leeds’ willingness to keep the faith in the face of a sluggish start to the season has most certainly been rewarded. That dramatic 3-1 win at Sheffield United two days ago puts Leeds five points clear at the top of the table.

“Daniel is incredibly collaborative. We’re very lucky to have him as a manager,” Kinnear said back in Septmember. “He’s been really balanced, he gets the results and he works the floor. He’s an exceptionally talented manager.

“Which is why he’s proven to be one of the best at this level. He’s exactly the right manager for where Leeds United are now.”

Kinnear’s likely departure means Leeds will now have to enter the market for a new chief executive. It remains to be seen who features prominently on the 49ers’ shortlist.