Leeds United are ready to get their summer business underway in style by splashing out on a versatile defender who could be perfect for Daniel Farke.
Leeds targeting £26m defender
Premier League survival has done many things for those at Elland Road. It has signalled a major sigh of relief that their project is well on track. It has added much-needed security to Farke's position, and it has opened up a whole new market in the transfer window.
With their top-flight status confirmed, Leeds have a golden opportunity to poach from relegated sides. Stars like Zian Flemming and Crysencio Summerville are unlikely to stay put in the Championship if the right offer comes their way and both are on the radar of those at Elland Road.
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He could be a bargain for the Whites.
The same can be said for a Wolverhampton Wanderers star. According to TeamTalk, Leeds are now preparing a £26m offer to sign Ladislav Krejci from the Midlands club.
The Whites already held talks to sign the 6'3 defender, only to see their efforts rebuffed. Now, with Wolves in the Championship, they may face a change in fortunes.
Krejci-Wolves
That's not to say the deal will come cheap - Wolves are reportedly ready to demand the same £26m fee that they paid for the defender to make his loan move permanent this season, but are willing to cash in if that figure is met.
It's a steep price, but not one that Leeds have a problem with. They're reportedly ready to match Wolves' asking price and potentially land their first signing of the summer.
Why Krejci makes perfect sense for Leeds
When assessing the profile of Krejci, Leeds' interest should come as no shock. Just last summer, the priority was clearly centred around welcoming height into Farke's side. In came Anton Stach in midfield, the towering Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front and Jaka Bijol at the back.
And the result was a side ready to handle the physical dominance of the Premier League.
Now, Krejci could join the land of giants. He has the ability to play in a back two and, more crucially, in the back three that Farke operates so successfully.
PL 25/26 Krejci Pascal Struijk
Minutes 2,361 2,937
Tackles 32 39
Recoveries 79 118
Duel success 50.2% 55.6%
Pass success 82.5% 88.5%
Although it was a tough debut season for Krejci at Wolves, the numbers indicate that he's got Premier League quality in abundance. Even at £26m, he could prove worthwhile at Elland Road.
There's still a lot of work to be done, but if rumours are anything to go by, Leeds are certainly big fans of the defender.
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