TRANSFER windows can be moveable feasts, and Leeds United's priorities have changed as this one has gone on.
The departures of Pascal Struijk and Karl Darlow were far from a complete shock, but they further weakened areas of the squad where they were already light, potentially diverting at least some energy from the areas they were looking to upgrade.
That only Harry Wilson, a free agent, has so far arrived should not be cause for too much panic. Manager Daniel Farke was very clear before the window even opened that the World Cup would delay a lot of business, and Leeds are by no means the only one in that boat.
Tottenham Hotspur have been spending money like it is going out of fashion, Manchester City have made waves with the nine-figure fee paid for England World Cup star Elliot Anderson and Brighton and Hove Albion have been quietly doing what Brighton do, but at many clubs it has been uncomfortably serene.
SLOWLY BUT SURELY: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke celebrates victory after the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA.placeholder image
SLOWLY BUT SURELY: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke celebrates victory after the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA.
With arguably the most work to do of any Premier League side by dint of being play-off champions, Hull City have targeted 14 new faces but at the time of writing, only landed Jack Butland, who may end up being their second-choice goalkeeper.
There is angst at their opening-day opponents Manchester United that the anticipated flood of central midfielders has been a trickle, with a deal for Ederson called off on medical grounds.
Nottingham Forest, Leeds' first hosts, are yet to add to their squad. Aston Villa and Newcastle United have had yet more financial fair play sales when fans would have been hoping for reinforcements. Arsenal's only new face is goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who Leeds did not want.
But seeing Darlow join Manchester United on a free transfer on top of Meslier going means Leeds need two new goalkeepers – would they rather keep the unconvincing Lucas Perri or hope to land three in one window?
SIGNED AND SEALED: Fulham's Harry Wilson made the switch to Leeds United last week. Picture: John Walton/PAplaceholder image
SIGNED AND SEALED: Fulham's Harry Wilson made the switch to Leeds United last week. Picture: John Walton/PA
Before Struijk, Leeds were on the lookout for a left-sided centre-back. But with the 26-year-old about to enter the final year of his contract and reluctant to sign another there was always a chance they might need two, plus a left-footer to back up wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson ideally.
Many of the centre-backs linked to them this summer are right-footers and they could join too, but not as Struijk replacements. A £34m agreement in principle for Sassuolo's left-footer Tarik Muharemovic certainly ticks a lot of their boxes.
But those deals would be just about standing still, the Whites want to and need to go further than that.
Ironically, Wilson's arrival addresses at least some of the creativity that was last season's priority but interest in Shea Charles suggests a hunger to upgrade the midfield, and Leeds need a big hitter at centre-forward to provide the competition they were fortunate Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not need last season. All of it has to be done on a budget, which is why Charles remains a Southampton player for now.
At this stage of Leeds' transfer window Whac-A-Mole more problems are popping up than solutions. On top of everything else they need, patience is vitally important.