Leeds United are preparing for a busy summer transfer window that is likely to bring yet more change to the playing squad.
The Whites were within a whisker of booking an immediate return to the Premier League, but with Southampton beating Leeds in the play-off final, another year in the Championship is on the cards.
With the dust starting to settle on the Wembley heartache, attention will swiftly turn towards the challenge ahead for Daniel Farke.
The Leeds boss will be tasked with picking his squad up and pushing for promotion again, all while facing a possibly rocky summer transfer window.
Potential high-profile exits are on the cards, while a reduction in parachute payments means that there may be less money available in the transfer purse.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, as there’s still a potential for Leeds to play out their dream summer transfer window.
Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto transfer boost
In an ideal world, Leeds will be able to keep hold of both Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto this summer.
The duo have proven they are top players in the Championship, though that has naturally brought transfer interest along with it.
Summerville has been linked heavily with a transfer switch to Liverpool, after an impressive season that saw him win the league’s Player of the Year award.
Gnonto has been attracting transfer attention from Everton, following on from the Toffees’ interest last summer.
However, if Leeds can afford to resist offers for both wingers, then it may prove to be the best business they conduct all window.
Leeds transfer exits
One of the key tasks facing Leeds is the need to sell some of their squad to help keep the finances ticking over for another promotion push.
Some exits would help the squad balance for the summer, such as Max Wober, Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson.
All six of those players have spent the campaign on loan rather than moving on a permanent deal, something that could offer an immediate income boost for The Whites.
In terms of other possible permanent transfers elsewhere, it may be a wise time to move on from Illan Meslier.
The 24-year-old has two years remaining on his current contract at Elland Road, and while questions were asked over some of his abilities, it may signal a time to sell.
Joe Rodon return to Leeds
Leeds need another centre-back option heading into the summer and a return to Joe Rodon appears the ideal option.
The Welshman impressed in his loan spell from Tottenham in the previous campaign and could be set for a move this summer.
With just one year remaining on the 26-year-old’s deal at Spurs, the chance of a permanent transfer is on the cards.
Whether Rodon would be happy with a return to the Championship remains to be seen, however in a dream summer window, he would certainly return to Leeds.
Illan Meslier replacement
So with a Meslier exit sealed in this dream transfer window, a replacement is needed for the number one choice.
Ipswich Town’s Vaclav Hladky would be a great option, given his performances in the Championship and his expiring contract.
It’s likely the 33-year-old will be aiming for a top-flight move, but if Leeds can persuade the Czech Republic shot-stopper to join the club, then they’ll have a secure option with the gloves and without paying a transfer fee.
Leeds United striker transfer
At times, the missing piece of the puzzle for Leeds was a finisher up front, with neither Joel Piroe nor Georginio Rutter quite fitting the mould of an out-and-out centre-forward or a number ten.
While Patrick Bamford displayed some quality throughout the season, the Yorkshire outfit clearly need another option that can play as a striker.
Blackburn forward Sammie Szmodics impressed with his 27 goals for a struggling side, but he also fits that mix of playing as an attacking midfielder rather than a striker.
To fill that gap, Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath may well be the best option available in the Championship.
The 25-year-old scored 16 goals in 30 appearances for the Boro, displaying an impressive ability to find the corners of the goal with his strikes.
Of course, there’s plenty more work to be done in shaping the whole squad, however, those key changes may well prove to be the base for a dream summer transfer window for Leeds.
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