It has been a mixed bag pre-season for Leeds United thus far - suffering a 3-2 loss to Wrexham before enjoying a 1-0 win over Sunderland AFC - with arrivals potentially needed
Carlos Espi celebrates
Carlos Espi has joined Real Madrid(Image: AFP or licensors)
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Leeds United could be in need of reinforcement ahead of the new season, if the club's pre-season record is anything to go off.
United endured a tough 3-2 loss to Wrexham as they kicked off this summer's tour, before enjoying a slender 1-0 win over Sunderland AFC on Friday morning as a result of a howler from Melker Ellborg.
And it could be a clear sign that Daniel Farke is in need of fresh faces ahead of the Premier League's return next month.
Despite welcoming Harry Wilson as a free agent and snapping up Sassuolo's Tarik Muharemovic in a £34.1million move, the first-team are arguably failing to create enough chances to improve on last term's 14th-place finish.
And as a result, 49ers Enterprises could be forced to dig into their transfer war chest to make marked improvements ahead of the window slamming shut at the turn of September.
But who have United been linked with as of late? LeedsLive breaks it down...
Transfer truth after Real Madrid hijack
Real Madrid have completed a £21.4m acquisition of Carlos Espi from Levante, seemingly beating United - as well as Brighton - to the punch. The 6ft4' striker enjoyed a highly-accomplished season with Levante in 2025/26, with 13 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions.
While the 21-year-old was reported to be on Leeds United's shortlist, sources have since told TEAMtalk that their interest was never truly serious and failed to progress past a watching brief at Elland Road.
It highlights that while the Lilywhites could still be searching for a proven centre-forward this summer.
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Leeds Live says: Beating Real Madrid to the punch for any transfer is always going to be a monumental task, especially when they are in a great rush to secure reinforcement. Los Blancos recently afforded Gonzalo Garcia the opportunity to make a £34m move to Fulham to reunite with Alvaro Arbeloa, meaning a replacement was needed as soon as possible.
Striking while the iron was hot, Real Madrid ultimately set their sights on Espi and moved quickly to ensure a deal was done. It's a positive sign that Leeds may well be scouring the market for attacking reinforcement this summer, and fans will certainly welcome a fresh face to challenge an ageing but still bright Dominic Calvert-Lewin for his place.
United brace for transfer U-turn
Nicolo Tresoldi has seemingly agreed to remain at Club Brugge, despite a wealth of interest from Leeds United, Chelsea and Manchester United.
The 21-year-old has been a burning beacon for the Belgian Pro League titans since his arrival from Hannover 96 last summer, bagging 23 goals and nine assists in 58 appearances across all competitions.
Nicolo Tresoldi smiles
Nicolo Tresoldi was linked with Leeds United(Image: Getty Images)
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And as a result, the rumour mill started to churn with regards to a potential move to the Premier League. Unfortunately, any plans for a respective transfer this summer have now been stopped in their tracks.
With three years remaining on his contract, it is reported that Tresoldi has agreed to remain with Brugge for the new season, with club president Bart Verhaeghe making it crystal clear that even a record fee would not change his mind.
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Leeds Live says: Considering his rate of return at just 21, and with his best years arguably well ahead of him, missing out on Tresoldi is a major blow for Leeds United. A player who could arguably walk into any Premier League outfit in his current form, Brugge has got a real keeper in the Germany U21 talent.
While the development will ultimately send Leeds back to the drawing bord, the silver lining is that it's incredibly promising that the club are finding themselves linked with such exceptional talents and exploring potential moves for them.
It's only a matter of time until one lands, as proven by the high-profile acquisitions of Wilson and Muharemovic this summer.