Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Charlie Wilson

Leeds United's transfer state of play as window officially opens after early deals signed off

The starting gun can now officially be sounded on the summer transfer season, with the domestic window now officially open. That means Leeds United and their Premier League rivals are able to step up their work in the summer sales, although the international window does not open until July 1.

However, it does not mean that they can't sign players already though. We have sign Leeds United already bring in two names on pre-agreement deals, which will be become official next month.

And whilst it's been a solid start to the summer, it's going to be a hectic one with twists and turns. Jesse Marsch will look to rebuild his squad, whilst likely switching to a new formation and in the hope that he's able to keep a hold of his talented players in the squad.

READ MORE: Where all former Leeds United managers since Simon Grayson are now

Here's all you need to know on Leeds' summer so far, what we can expect before the transfer window closes and names to monitor.

Signings so far

Leeds United have started the summer off quickly, confirming two players who have been signed on permanent deals. Both have arrived from the same club, Austria, Red Bull Salzburg, a team who has farmed some of the world's best players, such as Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane and Dayot Upamecano to name a few.

Firstly, Leeds targeted American youngster Brenden Aaronson. The attacking midfielder joined the club for £25 million, making him Leeds' third most expensive signing ever, and will look to compete for a starting spot from day one after his breakout season in Austria.

Then, earlier this week, they confirmed the signing of right-back Rasmus Kristensen.

The 24-year-old Kristensen has been described as the best defender in Austria after an impressive season with Jesse Marsch's former side as he joins for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £10million and has put pen to paper on a five-year contract.

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.

What else do Leeds need to do and who has been linked?

Leeds have been linked with almost a dozen players over the past few days and will no doubt continue to fill the gossip columns, as they target further bodies in central midfield and more depth up front.

Links to Takumi Minamino just will not go away as Liverpool are reportedly looking at signing Benfica striker Darwin Nunez. Minamino scored 10 goals in 24 games for Liverpool last season and was unlucky to not see more playing time behind a stacked offensive depth chart at Anfield. He's also a player who has worked with Marsch before at Salzburg and a £17m fee has been mooted with the player reportedly nearing an Anfield exit. Southampton and AS Monaco have also been linked.

Another name who has cropped up on more than a few occasions, is RB Leipzig's Tyler Adams . Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Leeds United could now turn their attention to another American player after already securing national teammate Aaronson. The RB Leipzig holding midfielder, Adams, was a favourite of Marsch's during his time in Germany and is an expansive midfielder who impresses most with his defensive qualities.

And two further strikers have been linked in a third Salzburg player Junior Adamu and New York City frontman Valentin Castellanos.

Adamu was first linked to Leeds United on Monday. According to Sky Sports Austria, Leeds along with Southampton, West Ham United, Hertha Berlin, Red Bull Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt are all keen on the 21-year-old. Adamu could be available for around £10million this summer after his first full season in the Austrian Bundesliga.

He made 43 appearances for RB Salzburg last season – 23 of which came from the start. Adamu scored nine goals and registered five assists in all competitions, including the opener in their 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League last-16, which was assisted by Aaronson.

Castellanos is a player with a number of European clubs vying for his signature. Leeds officials were seen in New York City last week with Victor Orta, Angus Kinnear and Leeds director Massimo Marinelli at Quality Meats Steakhouse on Central Park – just five miles away from New York City’s Yankee Stadium.

He's pacy and powerful and has been praised for his work rate - being 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.

One of the latest names to be linked is Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca, with the Athletic reporting that the defensive midfielder is a £10m target for Leeds and West Ham. The Whites are looking to bolster their midfield options, with the suggestions being that Roca is being eyed to complement, rather than replace Kalvin Phillips.

West Ham youngster Sonny Perkins, is another player linked, following Leeds' recent trend of adding quality youngsters to their under-23s set-up.

Who could leave?

Two names dominate the debate here - Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha - and we will touch on them in more detail below.

Jack Harrison has been linked with a move to Spurs, but it would be a shock to see Leeds let the former Manchester City man depart, especially when there are question marks over Raphinha's future.

Elsewhere, though, it's probably time for Leeds to move on from certain players.

Helder Costa has been a signing that just hasn't worked out, and does not appear to be in the plans and did not excel in his loan spell at Valencia. Another who falls into this category is Rodrigo. Leeds' record signing, the Spaniard has never come too close to matching what the club paid for him, and they're clearly looking to bring in strikers, it would not be a surprise to see depart.

Given the lean nature of the Leeds squad, there is unlikely to be many departures from established first-team players, as increasing squad depth after last season's issues should be a key priority.

The Phillips and Raphinha question

As mentioned above, Leeds United's summer is likely to be dominated by two names: Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

Both are extremely talented footballers who, realistically, deserve to be playing at the highest level. They've shown in big games be it for club or country that they're good enough to play for the Champions League.

The noise surrounding Raphinha and Barcelona has been almost constant since before the season ended, with the La Liga giants no doubt hoping that the Brazilian would have been available on the cheap, following a Leeds relegation. The Whites stayed up, which strengthened their negotiating hand, meaning they do not need to sell him on the cheap.

Barcelona's well-documented financial issues could preclude any deal here - but don't expect the issue to go away anytime soon. Bayern Munich were also linked to Raphinha earlier in the season, while Liverpool have also been admirers. This one will run and run.

Again, Leeds' final day survival boosted their hopes of keeping Kalvin Phillips. The England midfielder would not have wanted to be playing Championship football in a World Cup year and fans are hoping that a new deal can signed, to keep the likes of Manchester City and other admirers away.

This will be another headline-dominating saga until it is resolved either way. If either, or both, do depart, then Leeds will expect a club record fee, which fans would hope to see quickly reinvested in the playing squad.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.