Leeds United are already turning their focus towards the summer transfer window as they look to build on securing Premier League survival this season.
Daniel Farke is unlikely to allow his players to ease off when they face West Ham United today in a match that could end with the Hammers being relegated.
Away from the pitch, though, attention at Leeds has already started to shift towards the summer, with Farke making it clear he wants to see greater ambition from the board in the transfer market.
The World Cup is expected to complicate the transfer plans for several teams. However, Leeds have received a major boost in their pursuit of Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann.
Tanner Tessmann has been left out of the United States squad
The Lyon midfielder was expected to be a shoo-in for the United States squad for the World Cup after a breakthrough season in France. However, Mauricio Pochettino has left him out of the 26-man list.
He has 14 international caps under his belt and even played for the United States during the most recent international break.
This must be a major disappointment for Tanner Tessmann and his family, but it has arrived as a major boost for Leeds, who are pushing to sign him this summer.
Leeds were hoping to get a deal done quickly before the World Cup, as they feared his value could rise significantly after the tournament this summer.
However, now Leeds have more time to consider and negotiate a fee with Lyon ahead of potentially taking Tessmann to Elland Road in the summer.
If the Whites sign the United States midfielder this summer, he will get to spend a full pre-season with the squad, as he won’t be involved in the World Cup.
The Whites have other midfield targets as well
Leeds have been monitoring Hayden Hackney for several months, and the Middlesbrough midfielder remains one of the players under consideration this summer.
However, it has been claimed that Hackney is viewed as an alternative to Tanner, with Leeds only expected to push for a deal if they fail to land the Lyon midfielder.
Hackney is widely expected to leave the Riverside this summer after Middlesbrough missed out on promotion, and there is a strong belief he will be playing in the Premier League next season.
That said, Middlesbrough are still demanding a significant fee and are hoping to receive more than £20m for the midfielder during the upcoming transfer window.
