Towards the end of this past season, Leeds United sources claimed that the club was still preparing their shortlist for the summer. The Whites know the task at hand for next season.
Club chairman Paraag Marathe’s statement to the fanbase at the end of the campaign proved this.
He said the team would be approaching the window logically, and not chasing players that did not fit the team. There was also an emphasis on the new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules.
It is very likely that the Whites will sell players in order to make any serious deals this summer.
But the 49ers are known to invest in the team when necessary – just last season the club spent over £100 million on first team players.
This was when Leeds were flirting with PSR, so when it comes to moving money around, the club can do that.
Leeds United are frontrunners to sign star midfielder
TEAMtalk reported that a midfielder was one of the targets for Leeds United this summer.
Last season, the club added Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff as Daniel Farke wanted some physicality in midfield. They turned out to be very important signings in helping avoid relegation.
However, there was a sense that Daniel Farke was not too high on Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev, who are the current rotation options.
The Daily Mail is now reporting that Leeds have stepped up their interest in signing Southampton midfielder Shea Charles. The former Manchester City academy star has drawn serious interest this summer.
Everton and Italian side Atalanta have been named as suitors for the 22-year old.
He is in the last year of his deal at Southampton, and the club are said to want £20 million for him this summer.
READ MORE: ‘It looks like…’ – Leeds tipped to exceed £100m transfer budget this summer
Shea Charles would be a huge upgrade in the team
The midfielder is the profile any club in the Premier League would want – physical on the ball, with high technical ability.
He can thrive in tight spaces and also has an eye for goal. Charles had six goals and two assists this past season. The Northern Ireland international would provide something different in Leeds’ midfield.
He can provide dynamism and a goal threat, while being able to operate in attacking areas.
At £20 million, his price tag is in the range of what the club spent on some signings last summer.
