Leeds United's transfer business this summer will come under the microscope as they gear up for life back in the Premier League. It is crystal clear Daniel Farke plans to revamp his first team squad and the Whites are expected to be extremely active when it comes to incoming transfers.
Multiple additions will be needed in key areas of the pitch if United are to stand any chance of competing in the top tier of English football next season. Loan stars Joe Rothwell and Manor Solomon have returned to their parent clubs and a new first-choice left-back may be required should Junior Firpo's proposed move to Real Betis go through.
Sam Byram, a valuable squad player in their title-winning season, remains in dialogue with the club over extending his Elland Road stay. Losing him would leave the Whites very short on options in the full-back department.
However, Leeds Live understands United are moving increasingly closer to securing the services of Jaka Bijol. A fee with Serie A side Udinese is still to be finalised but club sources are growing in confidence that a deal can be struck.
We asked our panel of writers for their thoughts on what needs to be United's next transfer priority now the window has reopened.
Isaac Johnson
Clearly centre-back is high up on the agenda given the pursuit of Bijol, while striker and goalkeeper ought to be top targets too. But probably the first thing that needs to get sorted is Sam Byram’s contract.
If Junior Firpo is to leave for Real Betis then United need to press ahead with their left-back contingency plans, which will be aided by clarity over Byram’s future. The academy product wishes to stay and contract negotiations are in progress.
The 49ers deal with contracts on a case-by-case basis but it is clear what hole would be left at left-back if both Firpo and Byram departed - Isaac Schmidt would be the only option there. Plus, Byram covers both full-back flanks and has Premier League experience.
The sooner that situation is sorted out the better, for mere transfer planning purposes and knowing which areas need filling. And getting Daniel James tied down to a longer deal has also got to be a summer objective with the Welshman soon to enter his final year of his current deal.
Dom Howson
The obvious answer is Farke and the recruitment team must improve every position to give United a fighting chance of survival. There is a lack of Premier League quality and strength in depth across the board.
But the number one priority for me is a new goalkeeper. There will be a lot of matches where Leeds are on the back foot and have to dig in defensively but a reliable shot-stopper could earn them plenty of points in the battle to avoid the drop.
The writing looks on the wall for Illan Meslier. Farke should have arguably dropped Meslier sooner than he did last year after a catalogue of high-profile errors. It feels like now is the right time for Meslier to move on and rebuild his career elsewhere.
As for Karl Darlow, he barely put a foot wrong after replacing Meslier in between the sticks. Is the Wales international capable of producing match-winning performances in the top flight? The jury is out on Darlow's ability to perform on a consistent basis at the highest level.
James Smailes
You have to keep reminding yourself it’s still mid-June. Such is the way some of the Premier League clubs have been throwing money around already this summer it would be easy to fall into a trap of thinking Leeds United need to get some business done immediately.
All indications from Elland Road are there is a sense of calm right now about the transfer approach. But is there a sense of a priority? I don’t think so given we’re talking about substantial investment into all areas of the squad.
Right through the starting XI reinforcements, or rather an injection of quality is needed. Getting a striker is essential, because if you don’t have someone who can push towards double figures in goals then you’re very unlikely to stay up. Leeds need to get that man in early for a number of reasons.
If it’s a Callum Wilson-type player, they need the deal done before a rival snaps him up. If it’s not a free agent like Wilson, Leeds need to spend the necessary money and then know what budget is left for elsewhere. They can’t break the bank on a striker of course, but you don’t want to do your business and then come for a striker and find there’s no money left – it’s up top after all where the price tag is highest.
A key signing of a forward can set the tone for the summer transfer window and is a statement about the club’s intent.
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