Leeds United have made an encouraging start to their summer recruitment, but Daniel Farke and the club’s transfer team still have plenty of work to do before the new Premier League season begins.
The Whites got their business underway by signing Harry Wilson on a free transfer before spending £34m to bring Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic to Elland Road.
They then made their biggest move of the window, breaking the club’s transfer record to sign James Trafford from Manchester City for £45m. The England international is expected to come straight in as Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper.
Not every target has ended up at Elland Road, though. Leeds missed out on Julian Brandt, with the Germany international choosing Ajax instead.
While the club continue to look for further reinforcements, there is also plenty of work to do on the outgoing front. Several players are expected to leave as Leeds look to trim the squad, raise funds and create space for more additions.
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With James Trafford now through the door, Leeds United have ticked off one of Daniel Farke’s biggest priorities this summer. The Leeds boss has repeatedly highlighted the importance of having a top-class first-choice goalkeeper, and the club have backed him by bringing in the England international.
Trafford’s arrival was also expected to pave the way for Lucas Perri’s departure. Torino have been waiting to finalise a season-long loan for the Brazilian, with an option to make the move permanent.
A minor injury to Perri threatened to delay the transfer, but it is not expected to prevent the deal from going through. Torino remain ready to complete the agreement with Leeds and the player in the coming days.
According to Italian broadcaster Sportmediaset via Tutto Mercato, Perri will undergo a medical at Torino on Thursday ahead of joining the Italian club.
The deal is at an advanced stage, and if everything goes according to plan, the goalkeeper will train with his new teammates on Friday.
Torino are set to sign the Brazilian goalkeeper on an initial loan deal with an option to buy him for £9.4m.
Lucas Perri turned out to be a flop at Elland Road
When Leeds United signed the Brazilian last summer, there was genuine optimism that they had finally found their long-term solution in goal. He was expected to make the number one shirt his own and hold on to it for years.
But things did not go according to plan. While his ability was never in doubt, weaknesses in his game quickly became apparent and needed to be ironed out if he was going to succeed as Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper.
Several costly mistakes cost points and gradually weakened Daniel Farke’s faith in him. Karl Darlow eventually took his place and remained the manager’s preferred option for the second half of the season.
Some felt Leeds should show patience and give the Brazilian another year to develop. Farke, however, wanted a goalkeeper he could trust from day one in the Premier League, and that ultimately left Perri’s future at Elland Road looking untenable.
