Leeds United are all but guaranteed to stay in the Premier League now after reaching 43 points, putting them in a strong position to secure another season in the top flight.
With survival looking increasingly certain, the club have already stepped up their planning for the summer transfer window and are considering many potential targets before the campaign comes to an end.
Unlike last summer, Leeds are not expected to overhaul the squad, but they are aiming to make significant improvements in several key areas ahead of the 2026/27 season.
With Sebastiaan Bornauw expected to leave, Leeds are considering bringing in defensive reinforcements and are in the mix for Red Bull Salzburg defender Jannik Schuster.
Brentford are closing in on Jannik Schuster, but Leeds are also interested
The 19-year-old centre-back has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Red Bull Salzburg and is now expected to move on from the Austrian giants.
Brentford have been tracking him for months, and the club are now in advanced talks with Jannik Schuster and Red Bull Salzburg over a potential deal to take him to the GTech this summer.
According to TEAMTalk, the negotiations are at an advanced stage, and the two sides are expected to finalise an agreement worth £17m for his move.
Brentford hope to make him their first summer signing. However, the report also claims that a final agreement is not in place, and Leeds are also interested.
The Whites have been kept informed about the young defender’s situation, and the club are said to be mulling over getting involved in the transfer race.
With the Red Bull group being minority owners at Leeds, the club expect to gain an edge in the race for Schuster if they make an offer to sign him this summer.
West Ham and Brighton have also been keeping tabs on the teenage defender ahead of the next transfer window.
He is the ideal replacement for Bornauw
Bornauw is expected to move on from Leeds amid interest from Germany after playing a bit-part role in the squad following his arrival last year.
Leeds do not need someone who would want regular first-team minutes next season as his replacement, as the defender made just four Premier League starts.
Schuster could be his ideal replacement at Leeds. He is still just 19 and will not expect to be a starter straightaway if he joins Leeds in the summer.
Leeds would be able to ease him into the team gradually, with the club’s more experienced defenders helping carry the responsibility while the youngster continues his development.
Update: According to Sky Sports News, Brentford have reached an agreement over a deal worth £13m with Red Bull Salzburg for Schuster. However, there is no word on agreeing on personal terms with the young defender.
