The focus is firmly on achieving automatic promotion but Leeds United are already glancing half-an-eye on their plans for the summer transfer window. The club look to be on their way back to the Premier League and have a decent margin for error in the promotion race. Speculation has already started over the players Leeds would need in the summer if they are to survive in the Premier League. Leeds are likely to bring in several players if they get promoted as they need to raise the floor of the squad to survive in the top flight. Leeds are being linked with an interest in a player they also wanted to sign in the winter window.
Leeds United decided against signing anyone in the winter transfer window with Daniel Farke banking on his current squad to get the job done and earn promotion to the Premier League.
They made a late move for Cameron Archer but Southampton rejected their loan offer and Leeds didn’t go back with a better offer as they decided to stick with what they had.
Leeds are confident of getting promoted to the Premier League and as things stand, they are in a very good position to finish in the top two and guarantee promotion without going through the rigmarole of the playoffs.
There is already talk of who Leeds could sign in the summer if they go up and there are claims that the Whites have not ruled out signing Emiliano Buendia who they had an interest in the winter window.
No surprise the Leeds United manager would want him if they get promoted
Buendia was heavily linked with a move to Leeds as Daniel Farke is a known admirer of the player who he worked with at Norwich City previously.
However, the Argentinian joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan from Aston Villa towards the end of the winter window and the German champions have an option to make the move permanent for a fee of £16m.
It is not in Leeds’ hands but according to TeamTALK, they have not ruled out the possibility of getting their hands on the player in the summer transfer window.
The Whites will be in the market for a number 10 in the summer if they get promoted and several players are being assessed by their recruitment team.
They are still keeping tabs on Buendia and the Leeds manager is keen on reuniting with the attacking midfielder at Elland Road ahead of next season.
Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer, Manchester City’s James McAtee and Krasnodar’s Eduard Spertsyan are also on the Yorkshire giants’ radar ahead of next season.
A lot will depend on whether Leeds get promoted to the Premier League, which would dictate the funds they would have to spend in the next transfer window.
Is he good enough for Leeds in the Premier League?
Trying to sign Buendia in the winter transfer window made sense as he is a proven performer in the Championship and could have added more fuel to Leeds’ promotion charge.
However, if Leeds are in the Premier League, the club might need to think twice about signing the player regardless of how much faith Farke has in him.
Buendia is yet to prove himself in the top flight of English football and a record of 10 goals and 15 assists in 121 Premier League appearances is not good enough for an attacking midfielder.
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He has Premier League experience and there is something to be said about adding a player with top-flight know-how to a newly-promoted squad.
However, Leeds need players who can make an impact in terms of adding teeth and attacking finesse to a team who are likely to be defending a lot if they get promoted.
Farke and Leeds’ recruitment team know better and have access to better analytics but on the face of it, signing Buendia in the summer would be laced with risk if they are in the Premier League next season.
