Leeds United are preparing for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest, but there is still plenty going on behind the scenes as the club works to reshape the squad before the transfer window closes.
The Whites remain keen to strengthen several positions while also trying to move several players on.
Leeds have already agreed a deal to sign Nico Elvedi from Borussia Monchengladbach, with the Swiss defender undergoing his medical earlier today.
The club are also stepping up their efforts to find new homes for other players, with several departures expected as Leeds look to trim the squad, raise funds and create space for further additions.
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Leeds backed to land a major signing before the window closes
Daniel Farke is still keen to bring in a left-sided attacker before the end of the window, which explains Leeds’ interest in Igor Paixao this summer.
However, Rafael Leao is one more player who has been offered to Leeds amid talk of him leaving AC Milan before the end of the summer window.
Leeds are said to have made an offer for him, and former Premier League scout Mick Brown has not ruled out the Whites signing the Portugal international this summer.
He insisted that if Leao was offered to Leeds, the player would definitely be interested in a move to Elland Road.
Brown feels he is exactly the kind of forward Farke has been keen to sign as he would add a spark to the Leeds attack in the Premier League.
“Rafael Leao is certainly going to be one to watch before the window closes”, Brown told Football Insider.
“There has been a lot of interest in him from a number of different clubs across Europe, but it was interesting to hear Leeds were having a look at him.
“It would be an ambitious move, the type Daniel Farke has probably been looking to make all summer to add that bit of spark to his squad.
“A lot will depend on whether it’s financially viable, because he’s on big wages and that seems to be the issue and why they haven’t stepped up their interest so far.
“But it has not been ruled out, and if Leeds were contacted, it must mean the player would be interested in the move, so it might be the type of opportunity they can’t pass up on.
“If they can make it work for them, with the wage structure and at a reasonable fee, then there’s no reason Leeds couldn’t look to bring him in before the window closes.
“As I said, it’s a bit of a surprise one to see him linked with that move because of other clubs we’ve spoken about, but it looks like it could be a real possibility.”
Rafael Leao would be a game-changer
AC Milan need a major sale this summer to fund other moves, and Leao is seen as a player who could bring in a significant fee.
Leeds would have to offer a fee in the region of £40m or more and agree to meet the winger’s wage demands before a deal could be agreed upon.
However, Leeds have already shown with the James Trafford deal that they are willing to push the financial envelope for the right player who could be a game-changer.
Leão could be a genuine game-changer for Leeds, and the quality he would bring could justify the club spending big to get the deal done.
It may push Noah Okafor out of the team, but Leao is the kind of player who is worth paying the money for.
Not likely.
It sounds like a bridge too far. We were desperate for a quality goalkeeper and the investment was worth the price. Just because we paid big once (or maybe twice at £34m doesn’t mean we can keep doing it. The fee and expected wages would seem to be too disruptive at this point. Don’t waste the time unless it is realistic.
There are more reasonable targets for now
Ah, yes … bring in the player that was a large part of the reason for Okafor wanting to leave AC Milan.