Leeds United are ramping up their activity in the transfer window as attentions turn to the beginning of the new campaign
Daniel Farke will hope to build on last season’s 14th-place finish(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Leeds United’s recruitment drive is beginning to gather pace as Daniel Farke looks to build on an encouraging first season back in the Premier League. The Whites comfortably guaranteed their top-flight status with a 14th-place finish last campaign.
But Farke is determined to ensure his side avoid any second season syndrome, with strengthening the defence understood to be the club’s top priority this summer. Leeds are actively pursuing a new goalkeeper and a left back to provide greater competition, while the search for a new centre-back has become even more pressing following the departure of Pascal Strujik.
The fan favourite left Elland Road for Brighton last month in a deal worth an initial £18million, with Leeds forced to sanction the sale before June 30 to ensure they remained compliant with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). In a statement, Leeds said: “Last summer, the decision was taken to keep all players at Elland Road to give the club the best possible chance of Premier League survival, with the expectation that player sales would be needed to remain PSR compliant over a three-year accounting window ending June 30.
“The club’s higher than expected 14 th place finish and run to the Emirates FA Cup semi-final vindicated this decision, with the increased income and single sale of Struijk ensuring the club remains within PSR limits.” Struijk leaves a sizeable void in Farke’s backline, having made 34 league appearances last season and playing a key role in the club’s survival.
Even before the Dutchman’s exit, another central defender was high on Leeds’ shopping list following Farke’s successful mid-season tactical switch from a back four to a 3-5-2 formation. One name who appears tailormade for that system is Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi would be a good option at centre-back(Image: Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images)
The highly-rated 29-year-old has impressed for Switzerland at this summer’s World Cup and would bring a much-needed blend of physicality, leadership and experience to Elland Road. Comfortable as the central anchor or on the right of a back three, Elvedi was a commanding presence in the Bundesliga last season, registering an impressive 271 clearances across 33 league appearances.
Standing at 6ft 2in, he looks well suited to the physical demands of the Premier League and Farke’s preferred style of play. He would also represent better value than some of Leeds’ other reported targets, with Southampton believed to be demanding an extortionate £30m for Shea Charles even though the Northern Ireland international has just one year left on his contract.
According to the Mail, Leeds have already approached Monchengladbach to discuss a deal for Elvedi, with a fee in the region of €12m (£10m) likely enough to secure the defender’s signature.
Zion Suzuki would solve Leeds United’s goalkeeper dilemma(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
The final piece of Farke’s defensive jigsaw would be a new goalkeeper following the departure of Illan Meslier and the uncertainty surrounding Karl Darlow. A problem position for the Whites in recent years, Japan international Zion Suzuki appears an ideal candidate to take over between the sticks after another impressive World Cup campaign.
According to reports in Japan, Leeds have already agreed personal terms with the Parma shot-stopper, with a transfer worth around £25m looking likely. A swift deal would finally end the uncertainty over the number one shirt, with Darlow out of contract but still yet to determine whether he will extend his stay in Yorkshire.
Leeds United dream defence for the 2026/27 season: Zion Suzuki; Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Nico Elvedi, Gabriel Gudmundsson.
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