Leeds United have plenty to think about over the next two transfer windows as they look to build on an encouraging first season back in the Premier League. After winning promotion last year and finishing 14th, the challenge now is to strengthen the squad and ensure they keep moving in the right direction.
January will give the club a chance to address immediate needs, while the summer window could be crucial in shaping the team for the seasons ahead. But recruitment is easier when everyone knows who will be leading the project.
Daniel Farke’s existing contract was due to expire at the end of this season, leaving the possibility of a managerial change hanging over Leeds just as they prepare for another important summer. That would have been far from ideal when the club needs to make clear decisions about which players to target and how it wants the squad to develop.
A fresh update from The Athletic’s Beren Cross could now offer some welcome clarity.
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Leeds can plan ahead without uncertainty over Farke
Cross reports that Leeds and Farke have reached an agreement in principle on a new deal until 2029. The agreement is not yet formally completed, but the prospect of the German committing his future to Elland Road would give the club a much clearer picture of what lies ahead.
Rather than spending the coming months wondering whether they might need a new manager, Leeds can focus on finding the players Farke believes will improve his side.
That matters in January, when the club may look to strengthen key areas, and even more in the summer, when there should be greater scope to reshape the squad.
A new contract won’t guarantee straightforward recruitment. Leeds will still need to work within their budget, convince targets to join and agree fees with selling clubs. But knowing who is likely to be in charge beyond the end of the season should make it easier to build a coherent plan.
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Two transfer windows could shape Leeds’ next step
Finishing 14th after returning to the Premier League gave Leeds a solid platform, and they have made a solid start this term. But the next step will be harder.
The club cannot afford to stand still if it wants to establish itself in the division, and the next two windows will offer chances to strengthen without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Farke’s continued presence would also give potential signings greater certainty about the role they are being brought in to play. The club can build recruitment around a consistent approach, rather than risk being redirected if a new manager arrives with different ideas.
That continuity matters as Leeds try to turn a successful return into sustained Premier League progress. January could help them address immediate concerns, while the summer offers a chance to make more substantial changes.
There is still work to do before the new deal is officially sealed, but an agreement in principle would be an important step. For Leeds, it could mean approaching both transfer windows with a clearer sense of direction and fewer distractions over who will be calling the shots next season.
That’s good news, now we definitely have a manager, please sign a striker who has played football in the last 6 months and isn’t American or Welsh.