Leeds United are chasing automatic promotion to the Premier League, but top-flight football will also mean a squad overhaul in the summer. The club’s willingness to sell Brenden Aaronson in the summer shows that there could be a ruthless cull of the squad. Several Leeds stars will move on in the next transfer window, and there needs to be ruthlessness in their decision-making to ensure the Whites have a squad that could survive in the Premier League next season.
Daniel Farke and the Leeds United recruitment team will sit down at the end of the season, hopefully with promotion in the bag, and decide the fate of several players who have played a big role this season.
Here is a pick of the players who could move on from Leeds in the next summer transfer window if they get promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Illan Meslier – Leeds United will sign a new number one
The Frenchman’s howlers this season have proven that Leeds need a new number one next season if they are in the Premier League. He wants to stay if Leeds get promoted, but he will likely leave once the club make it clear that they want someone new between the sticks.
Junior Firpo – a departure seems inevitable
The Dominican full-back has been one of the best players for Leeds this season, but his contract will expire at the end of next season. With Leeds actively looking at left-backs, it seems certain that he won’t be offered a new deal in the coming months.
Sam Byram – Leeds United would want someone better
Byram has been a solid squad player this season and has stepped up whenever Farke has required him in the team. However, his contract is also set to expire, and if Leeds are in the Premier League, the club would want better quality than the 31-year-old, even as a squad option.
Ilia Gruev – Leeds’ search for midfielders shows the Hungarian could be replaced
Gruev has struggled with injuries this season, and his recent performances have been underwhelming. Leeds are actively looking at midfielders such as Nicolas Raskin and Kalvin Phillips, and there is a real chance the club could feel they would need an upgrade on the Hungarian this summer.
Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United need an upgrade on him
Aaronson has not registered an assist since December last year and has not scored a goal in months. Leeds appear to have decided to sell him next summer as they do not feel he has the physical attributes needed to handle the Premier League’s intensity.
Joe Gelhardt – Parting ways is best for everyone
The 22-year-old forward has found a manager in Hull boss Ruben Selles who trusts him, something Daniel Farke never did. He is enjoying life on loan at Hull, and if the Tigers survive, a permanent transfer seems to be on the cards.
Patrick Bamford – Leeds United need to move him on
He has the biggest contract in the current Leeds squad, but has been a non-entity this season due to injuries. The forward has yet to score a goal, and the constant injuries have ruined his physical attributes. Leeds need to find a way to offload him to save money and squad space to bring in an attacker who would actually contribute.
Can you name the missing sponsor on these 10 Leeds United shirts?
Max Wober – Another player who needs a move away from Leeds
Wober decided to stay at Leeds after returning on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach last year. He struggled to get game time even when he was fit, but a knee injury further exacerbated his problems. Leeds will look to offload him in the summer.
Josuha Guilavogui – Well past his sell-by date
The 34-year-old was an emergency signing last year after Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev got injured. However, he has yet to start a Championship game and has been little more than a squad filler. Leeds are unlikely to offer him a contract extension at the end of the season.
Mateo Joseph – Not good enough for Leeds United
The Spaniard started the season as Leeds’ first-choice striker, but it became apparent soon that he would not be the one to bag the goals Leeds needed. He has scored three times this season, and while talented, the 21-year-old still needs to develop, and the Whites are likely to loan him out in the summer.
Utter bollocks