Leeds United have made a solid start to the summer transfer window, but there is still plenty of work to do if they are to build on last season’s 14th-place finish in the Premier League.
The Whites began by signing Harry Wilson on a free transfer before making a major statement with the £34 million arrival of centre-back Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo.
Another significant deal is now on the horizon, with Leeds closing in on a club-record £45 million move for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford. However, the transfer window has not gone entirely to plan, as Julian Brandt opted to join Ajax despite strong interest from the Whites.
Leeds have also moved on several players who were no longer part of their long-term plans. However, the club are equally determined to keep hold of their key players before the transfer window closes.
Read More: Daniel Farke slams the door on £10m Leeds star’s Elland Road exit
Whites star set to stay after £16.3m agreement
Leeds are looking to get rid of several players before the window closes in less than a month.
They are looking for buyers for Wilfried Gnonto and Joel Piroe, and are keen to offload Largie Ramazani, who has a suitor in Valencia this summer.
However, Leeds are desperate to keep hold of their best players and a key development in the transfer market has boosted their efforts this week.
Chelsea showed interest in Gabriel Gudmundsson this summer, with new manager Xabi Alonso keen to add an attack-minded left-back to his squad.
The Leeds star never really explicitly ruled out a move away from Elland Road. However, the Whites fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Chelsea are close to signing a new left-back.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Blues are close to finalising a deal to sign Rayo Vallecano defender Pep Chavarria.
An agreement worth £16.3m is close to being finalised, and the defender will soon travel to undergo a medical at Chelsea.
The Spaniard’s arrival will almost certainly end Chelsea’s interest in Gudmundsson this summer.
🚨 BREAKING: Chelsea set to sign Pep Chavarria. €19m plus add-ons package being finalised. Agreement close. https://t.co/nh2bklFg5H
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 5, 2026
The injury to Gabriel Gudmundsson is a worry for Leeds
Daniel Farke will have taken plenty of positives from Leeds United’s pre-season tour of the United States, especially after the impressive comeback win over Liverpool.
But the victory was overshadowed by one major concern, with Gabriel Gudmundsson forced off through injury.
The defender is set to undergo further assessment in the coming days to establish the extent of the problem, but the incident has already exposed a lack of depth at left-back. As things stand, Gudmundsson is the only natural left-back in Farke’s senior squad heading into the new season.
His injury is likely to increase the urgency for Leeds to strengthen that position before the transfer window closes, rather than relying on James Justin to fill in as he did on occasions last season.
Jayden Lienou is regarded as one of the club’s brightest young prospects, but expecting the 18-year-old to be Gudmundsson’s only specialist cover throughout a long Premier League campaign would be a considerable risk.
Bright understudies are promising but Leeds need to get suitable players in now. Now that Charles is no longer an option – we need to act fast to fill the positions we are weak in. Paixou is unlikely – but there are possibly better options that could be brought in immediately if recruitment pull their fingers out.
The first team squad should be 90% done by now. Accepted that Man City are delaying Trafford’s move but there is less excuse for 3 crucial positions we need to address.
still fucking about with trafford .we know leeds stop every thing to do 1 transfer at a time. CB diomande, LB ekomie, or leinou, MD charles, sucic, kees smit, AM gilberto mora, rodrigo mora, nico paz, ST dzenan pejcinovic, jhon duran, endrick, samu aghehowa, nicolo tresoldi, franculino dju, All 22 and under. The right age to