It's getting harder and harder for newly promoted teams to maintain their standing in the Premier League. Daniel Farke knows the struggles of it all too well, given he suffered relegation to the Championship with Norwich City in 2020.
Having joined Leeds United in 2023, the German boss has enjoyed two impressive seasons, with his latest one resulting in the Whites' promotion to the English top-flight after a two-year absence. Similar to fellow newcomers Sunderland and Burnley, Leeds have splashed the cash in the summer transfer window, with almost £80million spent on seven new players.
Despite the considerable investment, Farke isn't done yet ahead of his side's first game of the season against Everton at Elland Road next week. A strong start at home would certainly be the ideal way to start the season as Express Sport takes a look at who the club could further acquire to contribute to their Premier League survival.
£46m deal opens the door for striker
While Leeds enjoyed the goal-scoring exploits of Joel Piroe last season, whose 19 goals earned him the Championship golden boot, the forward is untested in the Premier League. With Farke having frozen out Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt, his options up top are slim, with Piroe backed up by teenager Harry Gray.
However, Darwin Nunez's impending exit from Liverpool, who agreed to sell the 26-year-old for £46m plus add-ons to Al-Hilal, could open the door for Leeds to lure Aleksander Mitrovic back to England. The Serbian has spent three years at the Saudi Pro League side, but according to reports, the club could be open to offloading the 30-year-old, perhaps due to the Uruguayan's likely arrival.
Mitrovic spent eight years in English football and scored 38 Premier League goals for Newcastle and Fulham. His potential arrival would arm Farke with a reliable scorer who is familiar with the pressure of keeping a team safe from relegation.
Triggering £24.5m release clause
Bolstering quality in their attacking areas looks to be a key driver of transfer business for Farke, who is said to be targeting Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss. The 21-year-old played his first season of English football last term but was subjected to relegation with the Foxes finishing 18th.
Despite racking up just two goals and three assists in his debut campaign, the Moroccan star impressed potential suitors with his flair and ability to drive forward as Leeds look to be in the driving seat for his signature this month. Should they clinch a deal for the youngster, they'll have to trigger his reported £24.5million release clause, which is said to expire next Friday, just three days before their season-opener against the Toffees.
Replacing Manor Solomon
Manor Solomon proved to be a valuable member of Farke's system last season, scoring 10 goals and assisting 12 more on the way to Leeds winning the Championship title. However, they'll have to do without his end product this season as the winger returned to Tottenham Hotspur following his loan stint.
A reunion could be on the cards after reports claiming Spurs would be willing to accept a fee of under £20million for the Israeli ace. Should a deal not come to fruition, the Whites have reportedly been eyeing Fiorentina winger Riccardo Sottil. A move for the Italian would see Leeds face competition, as according to Tutto Mercato, Torino and Sassuolo are also aiming to sign Sottil.