Leeds United exploited the free agent market last summer well and signed Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on free transfers.
The two forwards have turned out to be shrewd pieces of business this season, combining for 17 goals in all competitions for the Whites so far in the current campaign.
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Calvert-Lewin has particularly impressed and has proved his detractors wrong by scoring 10 Premier League goals this season, which has made him a contender to return to the England squad.
Leeds will have money to spend next summer if they survive. However, the club are again looking to exploit the free agent market to extract the maximum value for their transfer budget.
Leeds have their eyes on Morocco defender Souffian El Karouani on a free transfer
Leeds are expected to be in the market for a left-back in the summer, as there were suggestions that Daniel Farke wanted one in the winter window.
The recruitment team have been looking at several options, while ensuring that they look to find value targets ahead of the next summer window.
According to Africa Foot, El Karouani has emerged as one of the top options for Leeds ahead of the end of the season.
The Moroccan will be out of contract at FC Utrecht at the end of the season and will leave the Dutch club on a free transfer in the next window.
Souffian El Karouani – FC Utrecht Stats This Season
Competition breakdown: matches, goals, assists and minutes played
Competition Matches Goals Assists Minutes
Eredivisie 22 2 10 1,980′
Europa League 8 0 2 536′
Europa League Qualifying 6 1 4 490′
KNVB Beker 2 0 0 132′
Total 38 3 16 3,138′
He has been terrfic form this season, registering 16 assists in all competitions this season and also scoring three goals.
His contract situation has made him an attractive target for several clubs, and Leeds are among the teams that are interested in snapping him up.
West Ham also have their eyes on him, and clubs such as Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Wolfsburg and Besiktas are also interested in the left-back.
El Karouani has not made up his mind and will assess all the offers on his table at the end of the season before finalising his next club.
The club need a new left-back next summer
Gabriel Gudmundsson is the only recognised left-back in the squad, and the Swede’s performances have allowed Leeds to not feel the need for another player for that position.
James Justin has also deputised brilliantly when Gudmundsson has not been available, but it is clear Farke wanted a new left-back in the winter window.
Signing a proper backup for Gudmundsson is expected to be one of the major priorities for next summer, but they cannot afford to spend big on a player who is not guaranteed to start regularly.
El Karouani appears to be the perfect target given his contract situation, and he would presumably agree to a backup role at a Premier League club.