Daniel FarkeDaniel Farke
Daniel Farke | Getty Images
Leeds United are currently eyeing promotion to the Premier League from the Championship
Leeds United are sat top of the Championship table above Sheffield United and Burnley. The Whites are hoping to claw themselves out of the Football League this season and back into the Premier League. They were relegated from the top flight back in 2023.
The Yorkshire outfit lost in the play-off final last year to Southampton at Wembley after Adam Armstrong’s goal. They have bounced back well though in this campaign under Daniel Farke. Here is a look at how their dream starting XI could look next term if the rumours are true, with valuations from AI...
Leeds United’s AI predicted XI for next season
Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher - signing, £35m
Leeds are said to be keen on the Liverpool goalkeeper this summer, according to GiveMeSport. He could be seen as a potential replacement for Illan Meslier, who has struggled for consistency over recent times. The Republic of Ireland international has been a back-up at Anfield over recent seasons.
Right-back: Bright Osayi-Samuel - signing, £5m
The Whites are reportedly eyeing a swoop for the Fenerbahce right wing-back, AfricaFoot have claimed. His contract expires in June and he is due to become a free agent. He has played in England before with Blackpool and QPR.
Centre-back: Nico Elvedi - signing, £15m
Journalist Ben Jacobs has told GiveMeSport that the centre-back remains on Farke’s radar. He would boost the Yorkshire side’s defensive department if he were to make the transfer later this year. The Switzerland international has been on the books at Borussia Monchengladbach since 2015 after joining them from FC Zurich.
Centre-back: Joe Rodon, £10m
Rodon has been a key player for Leeds since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur. He is a safe pair of hands to have at the back and is a Wales international. The former Swansea City man initially moved to Elland Road on loan before his deal was made a permanent one.
Left-back: Hugo Bueno - signing, £8m
The Whites are keeping tabs on his situation at Wolves, TEAMtalk have claimed. The 22-year-old is on loan at Feyenoord at the moment in the Eredivisie. He is due to return to his parent club when his time in Holland runs out and his future is uncertain.
Kalvin Phillips to make Leeds United return?
Central midfielder: Kalvin Phillips - signing, £15m
Leeds could try and lure Phillips back to the club, The Sun have reported. He was sold to Manchester City in 2022 but hasn’t been able to make the impact he would have wanted to at the Etihad Stadium. Phillips is currently on loan at Ipswich Town after spending time at West Ham previously.
Central midfielder: Ao Tanaka, £2.8m
He arrived last year as a bit of an unknown quantity from Fortuna Dusseldorf. He has adapted well to life in England and has become one of the Whites’ most prized assets. Tanaka should keep his place in the starting XI next season.
Left winger: Manor Solomon - signing, £15m
The winger was given the green light to link up with Farke’s men on a temporary basis last year. He was allowed to leave Tottenham Hotspur to get some more game time under his belt. It remains to be seen whether Leeds will be able to snap him up for good.
Right winger: Dan James, £25m
He has been in impressive form over recent months and his pace and power causes opponents some serious issues. The Hull-born man rose up through the ranks at Swansea City before Manchester United came calling. The attacker was loaned out to Fulham a couple of years ago.
Striker: Tammy Abraham - signing, £20m
Leeds have been credited with an interest in the Serie A striker in a report by TBR Football. If they signed him, he would give them more competition up top. He is on loan at AC Milan at the moment from their rivals Roma.
Striker: Joel Piroe - signing, £16m
He will want to test himself at the highest level so if the Whites go up, he may feel he has a point to prove in the top flight. The forward has never played in the league above before. He has scored 15 league goals in this campaign so far.
Starting XI: Kelleher; Osayi-Samuel, Elvedi, Rodon, Bueno; Tanaka, Phillips; Solomon, James; Piroe, Abraham. Estimated value (via AI): £167m
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