Leeds United and Daniel Farke are now forming plans to make their first signing of the summer and could trigger the release clause of an impressive La Liga midfielder.
Leeds plotting £17m move to sign midfielder
Leeds will be an interesting side to watch this summer. Fresh from Premier League survival, it would be easy to assume that they've got money to spend. According to 49ers chief Paraag Marathe, however, that's not entirely the case.
After spending big last summer, he admitted that Leeds will still have to spend wisely this summer if they are to avoid any PSR trouble. Addressing supporters, Marathe said: "This summer, instead of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) will impact our transfer market approach.
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"As our accounts reflect, we spent every penny possible, as promised, to earn promotion and keep the club in the Premier League. Our approach to the transfer market will once again be strategic and disciplined to comply with regulations while striving further to improve, and players will both arrive and depart as a result.
"Remaining in the Premier League allows us to keep building, both on and off the pitch. With our global supporter base, commercial growth opportunities, stadium expansion project, and a world-class football operation, we believe strongly in the future for Leeds United."
This could mean that the list of signings won't be extensive, but still effective. Just who those new names will be remains the big question, though.
Girona's Azzedine Ounahi in action with Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga
According to French journalist Sebastien Vidal, Leeds are seriously plotting a move to sign Azzedine Ounahi this summer. Farke believes the Girona forward can have the same impact as Mateusz Klich at Elland Road and wants him to provide a partnership for the likes of Anton Stach next season.
Ounahi could partner Anton Stach at Leeds
It was only a year ago that Leeds were welcoming a significant midfield upgrade in Stach. He's since become one of the signings of the season and one of Farke's most important players at Elland Road. Now, 12 months on, the Whites could repeat their transfer genius by welcoming Ounahi.
League stats 25/26 Ounahi Stach
Minutes 1,766 2,378
Goals 5 5
Pass success 85.8% 77.3%
Duel success 51.3% 53.1%
Recoveries 80 119
It's clear to see why Farke wants to form such a partnership. In terms of goalscorers from midfield, Ounahi and Stach would provide an undeniable threat, whilst balancing out each other's weaknesses.
Whilst Stach isn't always safe in possession, the Girona man would provide that reliable pass into midfield. Then, of course, the current Leeds star could provide plenty of cover out of possession.
£17m is a steep price to pay, but it may be the cost of the antidote to second-season syndrome as far as Leeds are concerned.
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