The excitement upon the official arrival of Jaka Bijol was perhaps softened by the delay in his transfer being ratified but he is very much a statement of intent from Leeds United this window.
The defender is in the prime of his career, a 63-cap Slovenia international and a player Udinese accepted was destined for the next step. He bolsters the depth of strength at centre-back.
His signing lessens the likelihood that Ethan Ampadu - needed more in midfield - will drop into centre-back, which Daniel Farke will be pleased about. United are to search for more defenders soon, namely at left-back.
Junior Firpo looks like he is on his way to Real Betis while Sam Byram will not be a starter even if he does sign a renewal contract. That said, his exit would mean United needing to acquire two full-backs instead of one given Byram’s ability to play both sides.
But centre-back still needs strengthening. This is especially the case if Pascal Struijk leaves amid concerns over game time at Elland Road - though there has been no hint at such a transfer move so far.
Even if Struijk stays, Leeds need additional cover behind first-choice Joe Rodon and Bijol. Rasmus Kristensen, not part of last season’s squad anyway, has gone while Max Wober is on the club’s for-sale list.
James Debayo is expected to sign the new terms offered to him but he is surely destined for a loan with the Premier League coming too soon for the 19-year-old. Essentially, Leeds can be considered to have only three senior natural centre-backs, or four if Ampadu is included.
This is clearly not enough for a full season in the top flight. Another back up is needed, which is always a tricky task given the club is asking a player to join knowing he will not get many minutes.
It’s why such cases usually see the arrival of older players heading towards their last knockings of top tier football. This is not always the case, though, especially with the free agent market to delve into.
Ideally, United need not to spend much on this reserve centre-half given other areas carry more importance. But numbers are nevertheless needed, especially with the injury record of Struijk, whose frequency of setbacks might actually reduce amid less game time.
Yet his absence combined with Joe Rothwell’s injury towards the end of last season exposed how thin the squad could be stretched, with Ampadu required in defence and only Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev to realistically play in midfield.
United need a better AND a bigger squad next season. Leeds will be found out if they are seen shoehorning players into unnatural roles as they had to do sometimes in the last campaign.
It’s not urgent that a new centre-half is acquired but it is an objective that must be completed once again by September 1 - transfer deadline day.
Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the bestLeeds Unitedcoverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clickinghereto subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Clickhereto be sent all the day's biggest stories.