Leeds United will look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign after finishing mid-table in their first season following promotion
Abbie Meehan Senior Sports Writer
07:00, 30 May 2026
Sean Longstaff of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Leeds United at Vitality Stadium on April 22, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
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Leeds United are ready for another season in the Premier League(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Leeds United could look to the Championship to boost their squad for next season.
Daniel Farke's side finished 14th during the 2025/26 campaign and will look to build upon this when it all kicks off again in August. Sunderland's excellent season following promotion, which saw them finish in the Europa League spots, will be an inspiration to Leeds as they look to emulate the Black Cats.
The summer transfer window is set to open on June 15 and run until September 1, giving Farke just under three months to get some signings in the door. A goalkeeper, defender and striker will be prioritised.
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Discussing transfers after losing 3-0 to relegated West Ham on the final day, Farke said: "We have started to speak about the future and of course this will continue in the upcoming weeks. It is important to take some time to recharge. Since survival was confirmed, we have already started to work."
With this in mind, Leeds Live has identified some Championship players the club could look to bring in this summer.
Sam Johnstone - Wolves
Sam Johnstone.
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Sam Johnstone may opt for a move back to the top flight(Image: MB Media/Getty Images)
Sam Johnstone may be planning a move from Wolves to secure a return to the Premier League alongside more game time. The shotstopper made 17 appearances last season as the relegated side opted to start Jose Sa over the former England international.
SportsBoom linked Johnstone with moves to Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley in April as Wolves' relegation was confirmed around the same time. The 33-year-old only joined in 2024 after signing from Crystal Palace for a fee of £10million.
His experience, having come through the ranks at Manchester United before establishing himself at West Brom, could be a big boost for Leeds.
Yerson Mosquera - Wolves
Yerson Mosquera.
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Yerson Mosquera may want a return to the top flight(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Yerson Mosquera was relegated with Wolves alongside Johnstone after the now former Premier League side failed to win more than three games all season. The defender made 31 appearances across the 25/26 campaign and is regarded as "good enough to stay up."
The 25-year-old collected a whopping 13 yellow cards across the year, showcasing an emotional side to his game. Mosquera is valued at £10m by Transfermarkt and he could be on the move in the coming months.
Reports from Mosquera's home country, Colombia, claimed that Wolves agreed with the defender's camp that he would be sold this summer.
Finn Azaz - Southampton
Finn Azaz.
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Finn Azaz caught attention with the Saints(Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
The midfielder only joined Southampton last year but their 'Spygate' scandal may lead to an onslaught of transfers this summer. Azaz made 21 goal contributions for the Saints during the 25/26 season and has been a regular face in the Republic of Ireland squad in recent camps.
The 25-year-old signed for £12m from Middlesbrough during the last summer transfer window and made 49 appearances over the season. With the Saints' relegation from the playoff final back to the Championship and the current scandal surrounding the club, some players may be tempted to exit before any more potential setbacks.
He is slightly pricier according to Transfermarkt, valued at around £15.5m.
Shea Charles - Southampton
Shea Charles.
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Shea Charles is one of the most likely Championship stars on the move this summer(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Another Southampton star that is especially likely to be on the move this summer is Shea Charles. The standout midfielder was the hero for the Saints in the FA Cup against Arsenal, scoring the winner to send them to the semi-finals of the competition.
He also netted the game-winner against Boro in the playoff semi-finals, but the goal proved futile due to the 'Spygate' scandal. Manchester United and Everton are also keen on signing the 22-year-old, with Crystal Palace and Liverpool also credited with an interest.
Charles has earned 33 caps for Northern Ireland and played the full 90 against Italy in the World Cup playoffs. Transfermarkt values the midfielder at around £10m but his price is likely to soar due to the amount of interest in his services.
Zan Vipotnik - Swansea City
Zan Vipotnik.
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Zan Vipotnik was the Championship's top scorer(Image: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Zan Vipotnik is a young, stable centre-forward who could potentially excel in the top flight. The 24-year-old scored 23 goals and assisted three times for the Swans, making him the Championship's top scorer for the 25/26 season.
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This was a major jump from Vipotnik's seven goals in the previous campaign, which attracted interest from several clubs. To ward off interest, Swansea tied him down with a contract extension that keeps him at the club until 2030.
Vipotnik also has 24 caps for Slovenia and five goals to his name. The striker is valued at £12m by Transfermarkt but the Swans may point to other major Championship departures in recent times in order to justify a higher price tag for the 24-year-old's services.