Leeds United exceeded most expectations this season by finishing 14th in their first campaign back in the Premier League, and attention has already turned to how they can build on that progress during the summer transfer window.
Chairman Paraag Marathe has suggested it could take three seasons in the top flight before Leeds can truly operate as an established Premier League club, and promised fewer signings compared to last summer.
Even so, Leeds have shown throughout the campaign that they can compete with more established sides and have rarely looked out of place at this level. There is a genuine belief that they can begin closing the gap on some of the clubs that finished above them this season.
Daniel Farke is expected to remain in charge heading into next season, providing Leeds with a level of continuity and stability that some of their Premier League rivals may not enjoy as they prepare for the new campaign.
Fulham, who just finished five points and three spots ahead of Leeds in the league table, have lost their manager, Marco Silva. However, they could now appoint a Premier League-winning manager.
The Cottagers have identified Arne Slot as an option
Arne Slot won the Premier League in his first season as Liverpool manager. However, an inconsistent 2025/26 campaign, where the Reds finished fifth, led to his sacking last week
The Dutchman is keen to return to football soon and would prefer to manage in the Premier League, after proving himself in the English top flight.
According to TeamTalk, he is one of the names on Fulham’s shortlist as they look to bring in a new manager in the coming weeks.
They are preparing to open talks with candidates and are likely to interview the former Liverpool manager for the vacant role at Craven Cottage.
Former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim and ex-Tottenham manager Thomas Frank are also on Fulham’s shortlist at the moment.
Slot is one of the big names who could come in and build on the solid foundations laid down by Silva, who has agreed to become the Benfica manager.
Leeds will find the second season harder
The Whites secured Premier League survival with games to spare. However, the Premier League is likely to be even more competitive.
If a manager of Slot’s calibre take charge of Fulham, it would mean a much more competitive bottom half of the Premier League table.
Sunderland and Leeds have shown that if money is spent wisely, promoted teams have more than a decent chance of securing safety in the top flight.
Leeds may need more than just a ‘sprinkling’ of quality signings to ensure that they do not stand still in a rapidly shifting Premier League landscape.
