It's set to be a busy summer for Leeds United as head coach Jesse Marsch will know that he has work to do. Marsch will look to rebuild and mould his squad after the West Yorkshire side avoided relegation on the final day of the season in dramatic fashion, with Jack Harrison scoring in the 94th minute at Brentford to secure their spot in the top flight.
Leeds made their first signing of the summer last month, bringing in Red Bull Salzburg's Brenden Aaronson for £25 million. The 21-year-old, Aaronson, has played under Jesse Marsch in Austria and will bring some firepower to Leeds' attacking midfield - with the ability to play from the flanks or centrally.
But with that move already secured and with plenty more work to do, it's looking likely that a lot more players will be brought into the club - with players leaving, too.
ALSO READ: Five players who could leave Leeds United on loan this season
Here is a list of all the players who have been strongly linked to Leeds so far ahead of the summer.
Rasmus Kristensen
Leeds United are reportedly close to securing the signing of Danish right-back Rasmus Kristensen ahead of a move from RB Salzburg - the second potential signing from the club after they had secured Brenden Aaronson who joined for £25 million.
It was reported last week that the move for Kristensen is indeed heading in the right direction. The exciting 24-year-old right-back has been described as the best defender in Austria after an impressive season with Marsch's former side.
The Danish defender is being touted for a £10million move away from the Red Bull Arena this summer, with Jesse Marsch keen on a rendezvous with the 24-year-old.
The right-back scored 10 goals and registered eight assists for Red Bull Salzburg in 45 appearances this season — a total of 18 goal contributions from full-back. He's a quick attacker and an accomplished defender who is comfortable going forward, Kristensen has all the tools to fit into Jesse Marsch's aggressive system.
Calvin Ramsay
It looks like Leeds United's attentions were turned to Red Bull Salzburg right-back Rasmus Kristensen after missing out on Aberdeen's Calvin Ramsay. Leeds have long monitored the attacking full-back who put together a breakout season in the SPL - impressing highly aged just 18.
But it looks like Liverpool are now in pole position for his signature, with The Athletic reporting that Jurgen Klopp's side are looking to finalise a deal to bring the young Scotsman in.
With Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas both having suffered difficult seasons through form and injury issues there is a clear need for right-back reinforcements, and Leeds had hoped Ramsay to fill that role. But that will now likely go to Kristensen.
Tyler Adams
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Leeds United could now turn their attention to another American player. Leeds are reportedly close to signing Brenden Aaronson from Red Bull Salzburg, a player who Jesse Marsch has coached, and a second player from the States could join him in Tyler Adams.
The RB Leipzig holding midfielder was a favourite of Marsch's during his time in Germany, and Romano has stated that he could now look to reunite himself with Adams this summer.
Concerning Leeds’ potential interest in Adams, Romano said: "His relationship with Marsch is great. There are no negotiations between the two clubs at the moment, but we know that the relationship is great and it could be a really interesting opportunity.
"Leeds need to understand what they want to do with Kalvin Phillips because he’s on the list of many top clubs. So, let’s see what happens with Phillips and then we will understand if they jump into this Tyler Adams opportunity or not."
John Swift
Leeds United-linked midfielder John Swift will be staying in the Championship next season after confirming his next move. Swift has penned a three-year deal with West Bromwich Albion with his contract at Reading set to come to an end this summer.
Throughout the season, Swift has been linked with a move to Leeds and several other Premier League clubs following a stand-out individual season in a poor Reading side. The likes of Brentford and Wolves had also been mentioned as possible destinations for the former Chelsea youth man, but it is the Baggies who have won the race for his signature.
Takumi Minamino
Leeds United look set for further links to Takumi Minamino over the summer as Liverpool up their interest in Raphinha. The Reds are reportedly eyeing the Brazilian as a replacement for Sadio Mane, who is looking increasingly likely to move to German champions Bayern Munich.
And Jurgen Klopp is understood to be happy in using Minamino as leverage in a player-plus-cash deal. The Whites have set their stall out with a £60-70 million price tag on the winger and no discussion of instalments, but a deal including a long-time target could soften the club’s stance and provide a winning deal for all parties involved.
Despite struggling to break into the Reds first-team, 27-year-old Minamino has proven a valuable squad player for a team that were chasing a quadruple.
Minamino scored 11 goals for Liverpool last season and was unlucky to not see more playing time behind a stacked offensive depth chart at Anfield.
Valentin Castellanos
Leeds United officials including Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear were been spotted in New York City just a few miles away from NYCFC's stadium amid rumours of transfer talks for Valentin Castellanos. The striker had been linked to Leeds in January after the 23-year-old has had a breakout 18 months - scoring 28 goals in 43 games in the MLS.
Castellanos is a player who has had a quick rise to prominence, leading NYCFC to the MLS Cup last season, with a number of European clubs vying for his signature. And Leeds might now well be in talks with the American club, with Orta, Kinnear and Leeds director Massimo Marinelli at Quality Meats Steakhouse on Central Park – just five miles away from New York City’s Yankee Stadium.
Castellanos is a pacy and powerful striker who has been praised for his work rate - and been compared to former Manchester United and City striker Carlos Tevez. He's not the tallest or the quickest, but he's tenacious in his approached and has shown the ability to press, winning the ball back and initiating quick attacks - something Marsch relies on his strikers to do.
Che Adams
The Southampton striker was a target for Leeds in 2020, when they tried to bring him in on loan - but no move materialised.
However, it was recently reported by The Athletic that Marsch's men have their eye on an unnamed Premier League forward and according to HITC, that man could be Saints ' Adams.
Adams had fallen down the pecking order this past season with Armando Broja, Shane Long, Adam Armstong and Nathan Redmond competing for the striking positions. But Adams still finished as the club's third top scorer with eight goals.
