Leeds United have made a strong start to their summer business, but Daniel Farke and the club’s recruitment team still have plenty to sort out before the new Premier League season gets underway.
The Whites brought in Harry Wilson on a free transfer before spending £34m to sign Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic.
They then made their biggest move of the window by signing James Trafford from Manchester City for a club-record £45m, with the England international expected to take over as Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper.
The summer has not gone entirely to plan, though. Leeds missed out on Julian Brandt, who opted to join Ajax instead of making the move to Elland Road.
Alongside their efforts to strengthen the squad, Leeds are also looking to move several players on. Several departures are expected as the club looks to trim the squad, raise funds and make room for further additions.
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Leeds United flop all but done at Elland Road with deal imminent
With James Trafford now at Elland Road, Leeds United have addressed one of Daniel Farke’s biggest priorities this summer. The Leeds boss has repeatedly stressed the need for a top-quality first-choice goalkeeper, and the club have backed him by bringing in the England international.
Trafford’s arrival was also expected to open the door for Lucas Perri to leave. Torino have been waiting to complete a season-long loan for the Brazilian, with an option to make the move permanent.
A minor injury to Perri threatened to hold up the transfer, but it is not expected to derail the deal. Torino remain ready to complete the agreement with Leeds and the player in the coming days.
According to journalist Orazio Accomando, the goalkeeper is due at Torino for a medical on Monday ahead of a loan move to the Serie A club.
An agreement is in place between the two clubs that would see Perri join Torino on loan with an option to buy set at around £9.4m.
It seems the injury to Perri will not delay the move as much as it was anticipated, and the Italian club are keen to have him as soon as possible.
Lucas Perri never really settled at Leeds United
When Leeds United signed the Brazilian last summer, there was a strong belief that they had finally found their long-term answer in goal. He was expected to take ownership of the number one shirt and hold it for years.
Things did not work out that way. It soon became clear that, despite his ability, there were weaknesses in his game that needed to be addressed if he was going to establish himself as Leeds’ first choice.
Several costly mistakes contributed to dropped points and gradually eroded Daniel Farke’s confidence in him. Karl Darlow eventually replaced him and remained the preferred option for the second half of the season.
There were still those who felt Leeds should give the Brazilian another year to settle and improve. Farke, however, wanted a goalkeeper he could rely on immediately in the Premier League, and that ultimately made Perri’s position at Elland Road untenable.
Perri never played enough to settle, £9.4m seems cheap think he will be much improved, we now need better players not ones just to make the numbers up, nos 2 Gk, Lb, Mf and a good St, Lewin cant do it on his own, come on 49ers must be plenty cash left over?