Leeds United have enjoyed a productive start to the summer transfer window, but Daniel Farke and the club’s recruitment team still have plenty of business left to complete before the new Premier League season begins.
The Whites kicked off their recruitment by signing Harry Wilson on a free transfer before following it up with a £34m move for Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic.
Another marquee signing is now on the horizon, with Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford expected to join in a club-record £45m deal.
Not every pursuit has ended successfully, however. Leeds missed out on Julian Brandt after the Germany international chose Ajax over a move to Elland Road.
The club have also ended their pursuit of Shea Charles after refusing to meet Southampton’s valuation, although adding another midfielder remains one of their priorities before the transfer window closes.
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Leeds United midfield target scores to impress scouts
The Whites are keen to bring in a midfield upgrade this summer, and Charles was not the only player the club have been considering this summer.
Leeds have been linked with a move to sign Real Betis midfielder Nelson Deossa, who has been tipped to leave the Spanish club this summer.
According to Mundo Betis, Leeds are one of the several clubs that sent scouts to watch him in action against Arsenal in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening.
The Leeds scouts must have been impressed as Deossa scored a brilliant goal in a 3-1 friendly win for Betis over Arsenal last night.
His left-footed screamer from outside the box stunned everyone inside the stadium.
Real Betis’ Nelson Deossa with a stunning strike against Arsenal 🤯
Watch Arsenal vs. Real Betis live on CBS Sports Network 📺 pic.twitter.com/3eXJkM9fNX
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 5, 2026
Brazilian club Vasco da Gama have been in talks to sign the Colombian midfielder. But those negotiations have been put on hold.
He would prefer to stay in Europe, and it remains to be seen whether Leeds consider making an offer for the player before the end of the transfer window.
The scouts had a good look at the player, and a decision will be made in internal meetings soon.
Leeds may need to sell someone if they want Nelson Deossa
The Whites looked well-stocked in midfield at the end of last season, and bringing in a new signing in that area of the squad was not seen as a necessity.
However, Leeds’ pursuit of Shea Charles showed that Daniel Farke feels that he needs an upgrade in that area of the squad.
Leeds are not expected to sign the Southampton star, but if they end up pushing for Nelson Deossa, the club will need to sell a midfielder.
Ilia Gruev is recovering from a knee injury and is unlikely to be fit for a transfer before the end of the window. The focus could shift to the futures of Sean Longstaff and Ao Tanaka.
The smart money is on Farke keeping his midfield stock for one more season and focusing on improving other areas of the squad.
