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Laurie Martin

The free agents that Leeds United could still sign this summer amid left-back and striker search

It's been a busy summer at Elland Road, with Jesse Marsch bringing in six fresh faces to bolster his Leeds United squad.

Leeds are still looking to add to their squad, with left-back and striker two positions the Whites are in the market for. There have also been suggestions that they could bring in a back-up goalkeeper.

The Whites have spent big money so far, so here's a look at seven free agents Leeds could look to target in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

Ben Foster

Foster has been linked with Leeds this summer, with the Daily Mail reporting that the Whites are considering a move for the experienced goalkeeper.

The Whites have been mulling over whether to bring in a more experienced goalkeeper to provide cover for Illan Meslier, with 21-year-old Kristoffer Klaesson the current second choice. The 39-year-old would certainly tick the experienced box, having made 389 Premier League appearances.

Foster was released by Watford this summer having played 26 Premier League games last season. The goalkeeper is a reliable figure when it comes to keeping fit as well - the last time he played less than 20 games in a season was in the 2014/15 campaign.

READ MORE: Leeds United's new-look attack will have a fresh role for Daniel James after failed experiment

Loris Karius

Another option between the sticks is former Liverpool goalkeeper Karius. The goalkeeper is looking for a new club having been released by Liverpool this summer, ending a six-year association with the club.

The 29-year-old spent time on loan at Besiktas and Union Berlin during his time at Anfield. Karius has plenty of experience having made 29 Premier League appearances and playing 16 times in the Champions League. The German could be seen as being a solid back-up for Meslier.

Erik Pieters

Left-back is an area that Marsch is looking to strengthen, with Junior Firpo set to miss the first month of Premier League action with injury, and Leif Davis joining Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee.

Will Marsch look to recruit a left-back to solve the Whites' long-lasting left-back problem, or will he look for a stop-gap option? If it's the latter, then Pieters could fit the bill. The experienced left-back was one of 14 players to be released by Burnley this summer.

Pieters, who turns 34 the day after Leeds' opening Premier League fixture against Wolves, has played 225 games in the English top flight for Stoke and Burnley. He made 12 league appearances as Burnley were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Faouzi Ghoulam

Another left-back option is Ghoulam, who was released by Napoli this summer. The 31-year-old is another experienced option, who could prove to be more than just a stop-gap.

Ghoulam, who has never played in England, made 16 appearances for Napoli last season in all competitions. He played 215 games in eight years in Naples.

The Algerian has been linked with a return to Saint-Etienne and with fellow French side Marseille.

Aaron Ramsey

Arguably the most high-profile name on this list, Ramsey has been linked with a number of clubs after his contract at Juventus was mutually terminated. Nottingham Forest are the favourites with Sky Bet to sign Ramsey, with Leeds priced at 25/1 to sign the Welshman.

Still only 31-years-old, Ramsey could return to England for the first time since leaving Arsenal in 2019. The midfielder made nearly 400 first-team appearances for the Gunners, and Serie A giants Juventus were quick to snap him up. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Glasgow Rangers, scoring two goals in seven appearances.

Central-midfield is not an immediate position of concern to Marsch, but Ramsey would no doubt bolster that department.

Andrea Belotti

With Leeds linked with big moves for the likes of Charles De Ketelaere, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Martin Terrier - Belotti would represent a cheaper alternative. The Sun have reported that Newcastle, West Ham and Everton have all been offered the chance to sign the 28-year-old on a free transfer. The report states that Belotti's representatives want to bring the striker to England.

The Italy international left Torino this summer after scoring 113 goals in 251 appearances for the club. Belotti, who was part of the Italy squad that won Euro 2020 last summer, has been capped 44 times by Italy, scoring 12 goals.

He still has plenty of years left in him, and with a good goal scoring record at his last club, Belotti could be on option for Marsch.

Dries Mertens

Mertens is a player who has been linked with Leeds by the Italian press. According to Italian newspaper Il Mattino earlier this month, Leeds were 'investigating' if a deal could be struck for the 35-year-old. Newcastle were also linked with the player, along with Ligue 1 side Marseille.

Mertens was released by Napoli this summer, ending a nine-year spell at the Italian giants. The Belgian is Napoli's highest ever scorer, bagging 148 goals in 397 games. He also earned over 100 caps for Belgium.

Recent reports have suggested that Mertens could possibly re-join Napoli, or remain in Italy with Juventus or Inter Milan.

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