It was a potentially season-defining weekend for Leeds United in their battle to beat the drop. The Whites moved nine points clear of the bottom three with a 3-0 win at 19th place Watford, leaving them within touching distance of Premier League safety.
And as Leeds’ confidence of remaining in the division grows stronger by the week, people behind the scenes will be starting to lay the groundwork for the upcoming summer transfer window. Leeds have signed just two new players in the last 18 months and so Victor Orta and co could be set for a busy few months.
Jesse Marsch has already revealed that talks between himself and Orta have taken place over potential transfer plans, and while safety isn’t quite there yet, the wheels already seem to be in motion. So with that in mind, here is a look at the positions Leeds will look to strengthen this summer.
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Right-back
Leeds have been linked with moves for Djed Spence and Sergio Dest in recent months which would suggest right-back is a position that will be targeted. Luke Ayling has been the club’s first choice since his arrival in 2016 but has just 12 months left to run on his contract and is now 30.
Youngster Cody Drameh has also been shining while on loan in the Championship at Cardiff City, meaning he could too come back and fight for the spot as first choice. It is certainly a position to keep an eye on this summer.
Left-back
Leeds thought they had addressed the issue of left-back last summer with the signing of Junior Firpo, however it is a signing that so far hasn’t worked out. Firpo has had a number of different injury problems this season which has seen him fail to generate any sort of form.
Stuart Dallas has once again had to fill in that position for large parts of the campaign, but that is something that needs addressing before a third year in the Premier League. Even in the U23s it is an area that is light, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more than one player brought in to beef up the squad.
Centre midfield
Without doubt, Leeds’ main priority this summer will be to bring in at least one new midfielder. Brenden Aaronson has been strongly linked, however in Marsch’s 4-2-2-2 system it is likely that he will fit in behind the strikers, meaning someone to line up alongside Kalvin Phillips is required.
James Garner and Boubacar Kamara both been linked with a move to Elland Road in recent months and both would fit the bill nicely. It is now over four years since a midfielder was last signed permanently at Leeds and that is almost certainly going to end this summer.
Attacking midfield/winger
While the aforementioned Aaronson appears to be a likely target, if Raphinha departs, more will be needed in this area. Marsch doesn’t tend to play with wingers in his formation, though someone who can play out wide or drift central like the Brazilian is needed in the squad.
Orta is known to be a big fan of both Ryan Kent and Noa Lang who are capable of that, but it remains to be seen whether he will revisit that interest.
Striker
Marsch has already publicly addressed the need to sign a new number striker this summer in order to ease the pressure on Patrick Bamford. Daniel James has had to fill in there several times this season, but he is far more effective on the wing.
Bamford, Rodrigo Moreno, Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and a new addition would leave Marsch extremely well-stocked in that area of the field. Squad depth is something Leeds have struggled with in the Premier League this season and there should be lessons to be learned here.
