After exceeding expectations in their first season back in the Premier League and finishing 14th, Leeds United are now focused on strengthening the squad ahead of next season.
Daniel Farke is keen to see greater ambition from the club’s hierarchy and wants quality additions in several positions as he looks to help Leeds continue their progress.
The recruitment team have already drawn up a shortlist of targets, and work is underway behind the scenes to put potential deals in place ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window.
With Pascal Struijk linked with a move away from Leeds, the club need an experienced defender, and they are now showing their interest in a centre-back of real pedigree.
Leeds United ‘express interest’ in Nathan Ake
Nathan Ake, who has won four Premier League titles and the treble at Manchester City, has been a bit-part player at the Etihad this season, making just six starts in the Premier League.
He has a year left on his contract, and Manchester City are prepared to sell the 31-year-old defender this summer as they look to refresh their squad.
Several clubs across Europe and the Premier League are interested in getting their hands on the versatile Dutch defender in the upcoming transfer window.
According to TEAMTalk, Leeds are amongst the clubs that have expressed an interest in getting their hands on the centre-back this summer.
If Struijk leaves, Leeds need an experienced option, and they have been linked with interest in Danilho Doekho, who is available on a free transfer.
However, the availability of Ake has caught their attention, and Leeds are keen to explore the possibility of taking him to Elland Road in the coming months.
Manchester City are ready to accept a fee in the region of £20m to sell Ake this summer.
A perfect replacement for Struijk
Struijk has a year left on his contract, and there are suggestions that he is open to exploring a fresh challenge away from Leeds this summer.
Leeds will need a ready-made replacement if the Dutchman departs, and Ake looks like the kind of defender who could slot straight into the side with minimal disruption.
Ake is hugely experienced in the Premier League and was one of the most important players in Manchester City’s treble-winning side in 2023.
His Premier League experience means the Dutchman would need little time to adapt and could walk straight into Daniel Farke’s starting eleven.
