With the season almost over, Leeds United are starting to focus on the summer transfer window and the areas of the squad they still want to strengthen.
The recruitment team have been monitoring players and building shortlists for quite some time, but those plans have stepped up since Premier League survival was secured.
Leeds are not expected to go through another major overhaul this summer. Instead, the aim is to make a handful of quality additions, with Daniel Farke keen for the board to show the same level of ambition he has displayed throughout the campaign.
However, the EFL’s decision to remove Southampton from the Champions League playoff final following the Spygate scandal has rocked Leeds’ transfer plans.
Leeds United suffer a major transfer blow
Leeds have been tracking Hayden Hackney over the last few months, and the club have been keen to take him to Elland Road in the summer.
Middlesbrough’s failure to reach the playoff final meant that it was deemed to be easier to snare the midfielder away from the Riverside Stadium.
However, Boro could get promoted after they were reinstated in the final following Southampton’s suspension due to the ‘Spygate scandal’.
The EFL have decided to ban the Saints from the final for breaching multiple regulations and will start next season in the Championship with a four-point deduction.
A statement from the EFL read: “An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.
“In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.
“The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday, 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.”
Hackney will likely stay if Boro get promoted
Boro were already prepared to dig in their heels and push to get in excess of £20m if they were forced to sell the midfielder in the summer transfer window.
However, they will now play the final and potentially beat Hull City to earn promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season.
If Boro are in the Premier League next season, they are almost certain to hold on to the midfielder despite interest from Leeds and other top-tier teams.
They will not sell one of their best players if Boro are in the Premier League and he will continue at the Riverside Stadium in the 2026/27 season.
