Leeds United are most certainly in the market for a bargain this summer. The Whites are expected to have money to spend, but if the option is there to add quality to their squad without paying over the odds, they would be right to explore it.
As such, Leeds may well find themselves keeping a keen eye on the free agent market as they look to bounce back from relegation by building a squad capable of pushing towards promotion at the first time of asking. With that in mind, Leeds Live picks out five players being released by Premier League clubs who might just be able to do a job at Elland Road next season.
Joe Bryan
Leeds definitely need a new left-back moving into the new season and Bryan looks to be a fine option following his release from Fulham. The 29-year-old spent the campaign on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Nice, where he made 10 appearances in all competitions, including three in the Europa Conference League.
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With more than 200 Championship appearances under his belt, it’s fair to say Bryan knows the second tier very well and having won promotion twice in his last four seasons with Fulham, he knows how to get out of it. That sort of experience would be key for Leeds if they could persuade him to make the move up north.
The problem seems to be that Bryan is keen to explore his options abroad after his year in the south of France. That’s according to a Bristol Live report, which ruled out the possibility of him returning to Ashton Gate this summer.
Andros Townsend
The last 12 months have been tough for Townsend, missing the entirety of the Premier League campaign after rupturing his cruciate ligament. He did make a return to action in May, featuring for Everton’s U21s against Leicester in the Premier League 2, and that suggests he wasn’t far off being ready for a first-team return.
Given the injury, there is an element of risk surrounding the 31-year-old. But, if he can return to full fitness and stay fit, he could be a real threat for any club at the top end of the Championship.
Townsend spent a month or so on loan at Leeds earlier in his career, making six appearances and scoring once.
Ryan Bertrand
Bertrand is another who has hardly been seen recently due to injuries. The left-back picked up a knee injury in December 2021 and that ruled him out of the remainder of the 21-22 Premier League season and ensured he never played a minute of senior football last time around.
Like Townsend, the 33-year-old did make a playing return for the U21s towards the end of the campaign, featuring at left-back in April against their Manchester United counterparts, but he couldn’t work his way back into contention. There would be huge risk attached to his signing, then, but get him fit and the Champions League winner’s experience could be important.
Jack Colback
If it’s Championship experience Leeds are looking for, Colback is most certainly someone to consider. The midfielder, who is leaving Nottingham Forest, has made 191 outings in the second tier, to add to his 189 Premier League appearances.
He’s won promotion twice and his knowhow and nous at that level would certainly go a long way at Elland Road, even if he wouldn’t necessarily command a starting spot every week. Leeds need to add depth in midfield, given the release of Adam Forshaw and the expected departures of Tyler Adams and Marc Roca and Colback, who is 33, would provide that.
Colback made 11 Premier League appearances for Forest last season.
Nampalys Mendy
Mendy is another who would be able to provide Leeds with experience following his release from Leicester. The 30-year-old has almost 300 career appearances to his name and most of those have come in the top flight having previously played for Monaco and Nice.
The Senegal international was a squad player for the Foxes last time around, but with Leeds in need of midfield options, he could establish himself as a regular starter should he make the move to West Yorkshire.
