Leeds United have been active in the transfer market since their Premier League return, but still need to strengthen in several key positions.
Daniel Farke is tasked with the unenviable job of keeping Leeds United in the top flight, having watched all three newly-promoted teams suffer relegation last year.
Achieving safety in the Premier League is becoming increasingly difficult for teams coming up from the Championship, and Leeds have invested heavily in an attempt to do so.
But despite signing big names such as Sean Longstaff, Jaka Bijol and Lucas Perri ahead of the new season, the Whites remain short in attack, with Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph both likely to leave.
Leeds must get this piece of recruitment right to stay in the top flight, as the evidence of their last Premier League season in 2022/23 shows.
Rodrigo Moreno looke dejected during Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Lack of goals cost Leeds United in their relegation season
After storming to a ninth-place finish under Marcelo Bielsa in their first season back, before struggling to a dramatic last-day escape the following year, no one quite knew what to expect in Leeds’ first full season under Jesse Marsch.
Although Leeds’ defence deteriorated alarmingly at the end of the season, a lack of goals ultimately cost the Whites, as Patrick Bamford spent much of the season out injured.
Ultimately, only Rodrigo Moreno scored more than 10 goals in the Premier League, and no other player scored more than five as the Peacocks’ attack faltered.
Leeds United Top Scorers 22/23 PL Goals
Rodrigo Moreno 13
Jack Harrison 5
Luis Sinisterra 5
Patrick Bamford 4
Crysencio Summerville 4
Stats taken from ESPN
Leeds failed to find the net on eight occasions in the 2022/23 season and lost 11 games by a one-goal margin.
With no real competition for Joel Piroe in the current Leeds squad, they have to get their recruitment right in attack, having done so much work to strengthen the rest of the squad.
Daniel Farke cannot afford a slow start in the Premier League
Despite their eventual relegation in the 22/23 season, Leeds started the season in strong form, taking seven points from their opening three games before tumbling down the table.
Under Farke, Leeds have started slowly in both seasons, winning just once in the opening five games in the 2023/24 season and twice in the first five in their promotion campaign.
Farke has set a deadline of the first international break to have all of his signings in place, as Leeds continue to chase Mehdi Taremi of Inter Milan, Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz and Roma forward and Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk.
Having a solid defence is unlikely to keep a team in the Premier League, given the growing discrepancy with the Championship. If Leeds do not add the goals they need, it could end their survival hopes.