Leeds United sit 15th in the Premier League at the moment, six points clear of the relegation places, and there’s a feeling they’re showing enough to stay up.
Within the club, confidence is starting to grow that survival will be secured, and attention is already turning towards how they can improve the squad in the summer.
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A new goalkeeper is expected to be one of the main priorities, and there’s also a clear intention to position themselves strongly for a move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.
Leeds will need serious money to take the squad to the next level, and a huge Premier League deal is set to increase their spending power if they survive at the end of the season.
Leeds to benefit as the Premier League agree huge £450m deal
Leeds are quietly hopeful that they will survive in the Premier League, and plans are already underway to improve the quality of the squad in the summer.
The Whites are looking to bring in a new number one, and Manchester City’s James Trafford has emerged as one of the top targets for the next window.
They also want to add more quality to their midfield and will have to make a serious big-money offer if they want to sign Middlesbrough’s Hackney.
Leeds are also expected to bring in defensive reinforcements and at least one more striker in the next transfer window.
All these will require money, and the Premier League’s latest TV deal should increase their spending power if Leeds remain in the top flight.
The Premier League recently agreed a new five-year deal worth £450m to broadcast games on ESPN, covering South America and the Caribbean.
Leeds will get a significant portion of the money as part of the agreement if they are still in the Premier League next season.
They will need to do better than last summer
Leeds spent £100m on 10 new players last summer, but the club failed to fill several holes in the squad, which could have been catastrophic.
Daniel Farke deserves credit for managing the squad well, and Leeds have done a good job of keeping Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit this season.
However, Leeds left a lot of things to chance, and their refusal to sell someone to fund further arrivals was a huge gamble, which appears to be paying off.
But the Whites cannot take such chances every summer, and the 49ers need to make more money available to Farke if Leeds are in the Premier League next season.
The 49ers argued that PSR limited their spending power last year, but that can’t be an excuse for the second summer running.
They need to spend more, offer better wages and ensure that they build on the foundations of this season.