Leeds United have kicked their summer transfer window off in busy fashion with the additions of two new players. Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen have both made the switch from Red Bull Salzburg as Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch get to work quickly on improving the squad.
But there is still plenty of work to be done as far as Leeds are concerned, both in terms of incomings and outgoings. A midfielder is still high on the list of priorities, while a striker and back-up goalkeeper are also positions that could require strengthening.
Perhaps much of Leeds ’ other business, though, will depend on whether they are able to keep both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha at the club. Phillips is reportedly Manchester City’s number one midfield target this summer, while Raphinha has been linked with Barcelona, Liverpool and Arsenal.
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So with several twists and turns in the window still to come, here is a look at the best and worst-case scenarios in terms of a starting XI, that Marsch could have at his disposal come the season opener in August.
Best-case (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; Phillips, Roca; Raphinha, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford
While on paper this looks like only three new signings this summer, the best-case scenario of the window would also mean making additions that beef up the squad. The likes of Junior Adamu and Takumi Minamino have both been linked and should they come in, they would provide strong bench options, with the potential of pushing into the starting XI.
On top of Kristensen and Aaronson coming in, Bayern Munich’s Marc Roca is the other new signing in this line-up. His ability on the ball, coupled with Phillips’ intensity off it, could form a very tidy partnership at the heart of midfield.
Obviously that would depend on Leeds fending off interest for Phillips. Keeping both him and Raphinha would be a significant signal of Leeds’ ambitions this season, though it will undoubtedly be a tough ask.
Worst-case (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; Klich, Forshaw; James, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford
No more signings on top of the two they have already brought in would represent a disastrous window for Leeds. It would mean they have failed to address their issues in midfield and again leave them short in terms of their squad depth.
What would make matters even worse is if both Phillips and Raphinha were both to depart without anyone coming into replace them. It is difficult to imagine any scenario where this happens given Leeds’ proactive start to the window, but if it did, another season of struggles would be on the cards.
