Leeds United have already secured their place in the Premier League for next season, with matches remaining, and the focus is beginning to shift towards the summer transfer window.
The club’s recruitment staff are aware that this summer will probably be trickier than last year, as they look to strengthen the squad without overspending on individual players.
Daniel Farke has also made it clear that he expects proper backing from the board, and Leeds are keen to provide him with the resources needed to improve the overall quality of the team.
The Championship’s Spygate scandal has provided Leeds with a unique opportunity to pick up a couple of targets who may have become unavailable if Southampton had been promoted.
Leeds United can move forward on a deal to sign Southampton’s Finn Azaz
Southampton signed Finn Azaz from Middlesbrough last summer, and he played a major role in taking the Saints to the cusp of promotion this season.
However, with the club not expelled from the playoff final following the Spygate scandal, he is one of the players who is expected to leave in the summer.
He has 12 goals and provided nine assists in all competitions this season, and his creative instincts have admirers inside the Leeds recruitment team.
The Whites have been tracking the attacking midfielder for months ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to Football Insider, Leeds now have an opening to make a move and snare the attacking midfielder away from St. Mary’s Stadium in the coming months.
He is said to be one of the players who is known to be furious at Southampton, and at the way they were exposed just ahead of the playoff final.
Leeds can now move for the attacking midfielder and pick him up for a decent fee, with Southampton now set to play in the Championship again next season.
The Spygate chaos is an opportunity for Leeds
Another Leeds United target, Leo Scienza, has issued a statement regarding the Spygate scandal and is also expected to leave the Saints.
Leeds could now miss out on signing Hayden Hackney if Middlesbrough beat Hull City in the play-off final and win promotion to the Premier League.
Hackney remains one of Leeds’ priority targets, but Middlesbrough are unlikely to sanction a sale if they are playing in the top flight next season.
However, Finn Azaz now looks almost certain to leave Southampton after the Saints crashed out in the play-off final.
Leeds are looking to strengthen in attacking midfield, and the Irishman’s performances in the Championship have caught the club’s attention.
There is a growing belief at Elland Road that Azaz is capable of making the jump to the Premier League, while the player himself is also eager to test himself at the highest level.
