Regardless of Leeds United's fate this season, a summer rebuild seems inevitable considering how stretched the squad has been throughout the course of the current campaign.
If the Whites manage to retain their Premier League status, they may wish to shed their Championship skin and bolster their ranks to ensure they avoid another relegation battle. In the event of relegation to the Championship, they could potentially lose their Premier League skin and be forced to rebuild without the lure of top flight football.
In either case, losing key players could be a possibility considering the reported interest in the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. Leeds have always thought ahead when it comes to recruitment, something that is evidenced in Jesse Marsch's reveal that director of football Victor Orta initially made contact with him back in 2020.
READ MORE: Everything Kalvin Phillips has said on his Leeds United future amid Aston Villa rumours
It is likely the club have planned for both survival and relegation and with the summer transfer window in mind, LeedsLive have picked five prodigies that could be suitable additions for Leeds.
As inspiration, the issue 366 of the CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post has been consulted. It features a list of 100 players born in 2002 or later that play in 31 European leagues outside of the 'big five' and boast the highest InStat index.
They also have to have played at least 450 domestic league minutes and the index takes 'pitch production' based on position into account, whilst also acknowledging the level at which they play with its statistical analysis.
Noah Mbamba
Leeds' squad is bursting at the seams with talented young defenders such as Charlie Cresswell, Leo Hjelde and Nohan Kenneh. If they wanted to add to their defensive ranks, however, Mbamba could be a player worth looking at.
Despite being just 17, he has made 14 appearances in the Belgian top flight this season and has gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Comfortable at centre-back and in defensive midfield, he has an InStat index of 246.5 and appears to be an exciting talent.
Fabian Rieder
The 20-year-old has already been a thorn in the side of Manchester United, therefore the Elland Road faithful would not struggle to warm to the Rieder.
He currently plies his trade in Switzerland with BSC Young Boys and his versatility could prove attractive to Leeds, as he can operate in midfielder, out wide or at wing-back. His energy would make him suitable to Marsch's targeted but intense press and his InStat index of 256.4 suggests he has a bright future.
Luka Sucic
Considering Sucic has already worked under Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg, this would make sense. The 19-year-old is already a senior Croatia international and is a teammate of Brenden Aaronson, who Leeds have been heavily linked with.
Swooping for both would certainly be ambitious but Sucic is highly-rated and a creative attacking threat with an InStat index of 247.9 who could fit in well at Elland Road.
Fabio Carvalho
It is easy to forget Carvalho is just 19 considering he is already a key figure for the Championship league leaders, Fulham. An attacking midfielder with intelligence that defies his tender years, he has previously been linked with the club and could be the long-term Pablo Hernandez replacement Rodrigo has only ever really threatened to be in spells. He sits third in the ranking with an InStat index of 269.1.
Odin Thiago Holm
Considering how sorely Leeds have missed Patrick Bamford during his time on the sideline this season, it would be a shock if the club did not dip into the market for a forward in the summer.
If they are looking for another young marksman to join the ranks alongside the likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Max Dean, Holm could be an option.
An industrious attacker with an an InStat index of 242.9 and an eye for goal, he represents the same club Leeds prised Kristoffer Klaesson from - Norwegian outfit Valerenga.
