With the first part of the summer transfer window having opened on June 1, Sports Mole takes a look at Leeds United’s top targets and budget ahead of doing business.
Following a two-year absence, Leeds United are preparing for a campaign among England’s elite in the Premier League during the 2025-26 season.
The Whites used their playoff-final heartbreak of 2023-24 to fuel a barnstorming promotion term over the past 12 months, lifting the Championship title after collecting 100 points across 46 second-tier matches.
A massive club back at the top table of English football, Leeds will be looking to avoid the fate suffered by Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton, who all suffered immediate returns to the second tier.
The Yorkshire-based club have opted to stick with head coach Daniel Farke, who possesses experience in the Premier League courtesy of his spell in charge of Norwich City.
However, there is a greater expectation of the German at Elland Road than during his time in East Anglia, where relegation was almost expected.
Farke has so far added three new players to his squad, strengthening his attacking options with Lukas Nmecha and his backline with Jaka Bijol and Sebastian Bornauw.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the transfer window ahead for Leeds, including top targets, budget, most likely signings and positions that need improvement ahead of their Premier League return.
© Imago
During the early stages of the post-season break, Leeds United have been linked with a move for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, however, the Republic of Ireland international has since completed a transfer to fellow Premier League side Brentford.
As a result, the Yorkshire club will have to consider other goalkeeper targets, with Lyon’s Lucas Perri believed to be on their transfer shortlist.
Leeds are understood to be keeping a close eye on the player’s situation, while they are also keeping tabs on other goalkeeping options, including Mainz shot-stopper Robin Zentner.
Following his struggles at the likes of West Ham United, Manchester City and Ipswich Town over the past couple of years, a fairytale return to Elland Road is a distinct possibility for Kalvin Phillips, who is back in the camp of the Citizens after spending 2024-25 on loan at Portman Road.
Alternatively, Leeds are said to be eyeing a potential move for Hoffenheim midfielder Anton Stach, who has over 100 Bundesliga appearances under his belt.
Stach has two years left on his contract, but he could be open to the opportunity to play outside Germany for the first time in his career.
They have also made an effort to add Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz to their forward options, having seen a bid knocked back by the West London club.
It remains to be seen whether Leeds will continue their pursuit of Muniz, or look elsewhere in their quest to bolster Farke’s forward options during the current transfer window.
Budgets
© Imago
Given the gulf in class between the Championship and the Premier League nowadays, Leeds’ collection of a three-figure points haul last season does not translate to a summer of minute adjustments to the playing squad – Farke’s side requires major surgery to have a chance of avoiding relegation.
The Whites are set to go all out in the summer transfer window to hand themselves a fighting chance of a top-17 finish, with club chairman Paraag Marathe vowing to spend ‘every last penny’ on ensuring that his side does not follow in the footsteps of Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester City.
It is understood that ownership group 49ers Enterprises have made at least £100m available for transfers ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, with some outlets suggesting that Farke and company could enjoy a £150m influx of new talent into their first-team squad before the end of August.
Most likely signings
© Imago
With recent history of chasing the signature of Sheffield United star Hamer, it would not be a surprise to see the midfielder lining up at Elland Road in August, with the Dutchman showing over the past two years that he is simply too good to be operating in the Championship for any longer.
Leeds supposedly face competition from Wrexham for the services of ex-Three Lions man Callum Wilson, and although the Hollywood project in North Wales could be appealing in a certain way, the lure of Premier League football with the Whites likely puts Farke’s side in pole position for the striker’s talents.
Should Leeds miss out on the signing of Bladesmen Hamer, there are a number of other exciting Championship midfielders who could swap the second tier for the top flight this summer, including Coventry City talisman Jack Rudoni and Middlesbrough’s Irish sensation Finn Azaz.
It is also believed that the Whites are eyeing up the services of Emiliano Buendia, who spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen from Aston Villa.
There is a belief that Villa could demand as much as £30m to sanction the Argentine’s departure, which could hamper Leeds’ hopes of bringing the attacker to Elland Road.
As for their interest in Muniz, Leeds will be aware that Fulham are reluctant to sell, but they will be keeping a close eye on whether the Cottagers change their stance if and when they recruit Brazilian forward Romulo Cardoso from Palmeiras.
Priority positions
© Imago
Ahead of their highly-anticipated return to the Premier League, it is understood that Leeds have made the signing of a new first-choice goalkeeper one of their top priorities during the summer trading point, with the shot-stopping department at Elland Road set for significant alterations.
Despite his undoubted abilities, Illan Meslier lost his spot in between the sticks near the end of last season due to a number of high-profile mistakes, with the inconsistent Frenchman expected to depart the Yorkshire club for pastures new at some point during the off-season.
There is also a need for Farke’s troops to bolster their striking options ahead of matchday one of the top-flight campaign, with current talisman Joel Piroe unlikely to be seen as a suitable starter in the Premier League, despite his impressive 19-goal season of 2024-25.
In defence, Leeds are on the lookout for a new left-back after Junior Firpo left the club following the expiry of his contract.
ID:574079:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9721:
