Leeds United are currently sitting 15th in the Premier League, four points clear of the relegation zone as they try to secure their place in the top flight.
That said, they’re not out of danger yet, and there’s a real feeling they could still get dragged into the fight over the final seven games.
Even with that uncertainty hanging over them, Leeds have already started planning for the summer window, with hopes that they’ll be building for another Premier League campaign.
They’ve also put together a shortlist of targets, looking to bring in players who can lift the overall quality of the squad and create genuine competition for spots.
Three players Leeds United could sign in the summer transfer window
Hayden Hackney
The Middlesbrough midfielder is almost certain to play in the Premier League next season, even if Boro do not get promoted this season.
Hackney has been a consistent player at the Championship level and is seen as someone who is ready to make the step-up to the Premier League.
Boro are second in the Championship, and if they get promoted, it would get a lot harder to get him out of the Riverside Stadium in the summer window.
However, if they remain in the Championship, Leeds and other Premier League clubs have a huge chance of landing Hackney as he wants to play at the top level.
Leeds have identified him as a top target for the summer and are said to be working on a deal to take him to Elland Road in the upcoming window.
Souffian El Karouani
The 25-year-old Moroccan full-back has emerged as an ‘assist king’ in Dutch football this season, scoring 16 assists in all competitions for FC Utrecht.
His performances have turned heads in England, and Leeds are interested in taking the full-back to Elland Road in the upcoming summer transfer.
He’s set to leave the Dutch club this summer when his contract expires, making him an even more appealing option for Leeds as they look to snap up free agents.
Leeds need a backup left-back to Gudmundsson in the squad, and El Karouani has emerged as a big target for the club ahead of the summer.
His free agent status and his ability to contribute in attack make him ideal for Leeds, who are expected to continue to play the 5-3-2 formation next season.
Archie Gray
The former Leeds midfielder is the only shining light amid the shambles at Tottenham, who are just one point clear of the relegation zone.
If Spurs get relegated, Archie Gray is almost certain to leave the club, and there is now talk that he could make a sensational return to Leeds in the summer.
A lot needs to go right for the potential deal to happen, and Leeds do not have a buy-back clause in the agreement with Spurs when they sold him in 2024.
However, it remains an intriguing possibility, and an emotional return to Leeds should appeal to Gray if the Whites remain a Premier League club next season.
Tottenham may want to keep a firm grip on his future, and if a loan is the preferred route next summer, Leeds could well be the only realistic destination for him.
