Leeds United are battling to secure promotion to the Premier League, but returning to the top flight will also lead to the happy headache of constructing a squad which can survive next season. The Whites will have money to spend, and there are already rumours of the club looking at a few Premier League-proven commodities in the transfer market. However, the recruitment team should show some market smarts by looking at players who could be snapped up from clubs in the Championship as well. There are a few players who could be ready to make the step up to the Premier League in the right set-up.
Daniel Farke and the Leeds United recruitment team will have their work cut out in the summer if they get promoted to the Premier League in the coming weeks.
The gulf between the Premier League and the Championship has only widened, and with Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton looking likely to get relegated this season, Leeds are aware of the challenge they would face next season if they get promoted.
Leeds will have considerable funds to spend, but the pot will not be unlimited, and the Whites will still need to be smart as well. If the Whites look beyond the Premier League-proven market, there are a few good players they could sign from the Championship in the next window.
The Championship is one of the most competitive leagues in the world, and some of the players have it in them to make their mark in the Premier League.
Here is a list of three players who Leeds could snap up from Championship clubs in the next summer transfer window.
Josh Brownhill (Burnley) – An experienced option for the Leeds United midfield on a free transfer
The 29-year-old Burnley captain has been a rock in the middle of the park this season and is key to their promotion push. He will definitely sign a new contract with the Clarets if they get promoted. However, if Scott Parker’s side remain in the Championship, he will move on a free transfer. A few Premier League clubs are already considering snapping him up, and Leeds should definitely try to sign him if they go up. He will add experience and nous to a Leeds midfield that will need to be more resilient in the Premier League next season.
Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland) – A young talent who is ready to make the step up
The 19-year-old central midfielder looks destined for bigger things, and if Sunderland do not get promoted, he is expected to leave the Stadium of Light in the summer transfer window. Bellingham is being watched by several clubs in the Premier League, and Leeds should join the party as well. He is a young talent who can play in different roles in the middle of the park, and should be an attractive talent for the 49ers as he could be sold for a hefty profit in the coming years.
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Borja Sainz (Norwich) – The striker Leeds United should be looking to sign from Norwich City
Leeds have been heavily linked with an interest in Norwich forward Josh Sargent. However, the White should be looking at his more prolific teammate. Sainz made a blistering start to the season with 15 goals in the first 18 Championship games of the season. A five-game suspension in the middle of the season disrupted his rhythm. However, he recently found his scoring boots again, and is the highest goalscorer in the Championship with 17 goals. With Norwich almost certain to stay in the Championship, the Spaniard will have suitors in the summer, and Leeds should be one of them, provided they are in the Premier League next season.
