Leeds United have turned their focus towards the upcoming summer transfer window after finishing 14th in their first season back in the Premier League.
Chairman Paraag Marathe has already made it clear that Leeds must operate within the Premier League’s new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) regulations and shape their transfer business accordingly this summer.
However, the club remain committed to bringing in upgrades in several areas of the squad while ensuring that they remain within the Premier League’s financial rules.
Leeds want to bring in more quality into their midfield, and the club are ramping up their interest in Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann ahead of the new season.
The fee required for Tanner Tessmann has been revealed
Leeds have been tracking the 24-year-old midfielder over the last few months, and the club are now keen to take him to Elland Road this summer.
The club were intially eyeing a quick deal as they wanted to secure his signature before the World Cup. However, they are no longer under any time pressure as he was not selected in the United States squad.
Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to keep Tessmann out of the squad shocked many. However, it has worked out for Leeds, who now have more time to negotiate a deal.
Lyon are aware of the interest he is attracting, and while they want to keep him, the financial realities of French football mean they would likely sell.
According to Football Insider, the French giants are likely to cash in on him if a club offer them a deal worth around £21.6m in the upcoming summer window.
This is a relatively low sum for a Premier League club, and the 49ers are well aware of the midfielder’s qualities.
Tessmann has several admirers in the Leeds recruitment team, and the club are preparing to line up a move for him in the summer.
Leeds have another target who would cost a similar fee
Leeds United have been monitoring Hayden Hackney for several months and continue to view the Middlesbrough midfielder as a potential summer target.
However, reports suggest Hackney is currently seen as an alternative to the Lyon midfielder, with Leeds expected to pursue a move for him only if they fail to land the French club’s star.
Hackney is widely expected to leave the Riverside this summer after Middlesbrough missed out on promotion, and there is a strong feeling he will be playing Premier League football next season.
That said, Middlesbrough are still determined to secure a significant fee for the midfielder and are believed to want more than £20m before agreeing to sell him in the upcoming transfer window.
