Leeds United are not mathematically safe yet, but they are almost certain to remain in the Premier League if they beat Burnley at Elland Road tonight.
With Premier League survival more or less done, the club have pressed the accelerator on their plans to improve their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Leeds are looking to bring in upgrades in every area of the squad to ensure they progress and push up the Premier League table in the 2026/27 season.
They looked well-stocked in midfield, but the club are looking at several midfielders as they look to reinforce their options, which could also lead to a few departures.
Ilia Gruev has reasons to feel unsure about his future at Leeds
Leeds’ midfield has been a key reason why the club are on the cusp of securing Premier League survival this season, and Ilia Gruev has been a key player.
However, the Bulgarian midfielder has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury and is set to miss the finish to the campaign.
Ao Tanaka has grabbed his chance with both hands, and Anton Stach is also expected to get back in the team once he fully recovers from his ankle injury.
Gruev will not be involved as the recruitment team and Daniel Farke assess the club’s midfield plans ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
And Leeds’ interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Hidemasa Morita, who will be available on a free transfer, is a direct threat to Gruev’s place in the squad.
The Whites are in talks with the player, who is open to the idea of joining Leeds in the upcoming transfer window.
He is a defensive mdifielder with top-level experience who can directly threaten Gruev and his future at Elland Road.
Who else can leave Leeds?
Sean Longstaff is one more player who will be facing an uncertain future if Leeds sign a defensive midfielder in the summer transfer window.
He was a certainty in the team until he suffered an injury in December, and since his return, he has struggled to find his way back into the starting eleven.
Longstaff was supposed to be playing a big role at this stage of the season. However, he is now on the periphery and looking into the team, rather than being a huge part.
If Leeds sign one or two midfielders, the former Newcastle star has every right to question his long-term future at Elland Road in the summer window.
He left Newcastle to play more first-team football. However, at this stage, he has dropped down in the pecking order of midfielders at Leeds.
