Summary
- Leeds United are ready to spend as much as allowed in the transfer window to strengthen for the Premier League.
- The Whites are looking to bring in a new goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, winger and striker for the upcoming season.
Leeds United are preparing for life back in the Premier League and are looking to make a mark in the transfer window.
Chairman Paraag Marathe said at the end of the Championship title-winning season that the Whites will spend as much as they are allowed to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad.
“Whatever they will let us spend, we’ll spend. I can comfortably say that we are going to spend the very last penny that we can. It’s what we need to go full tilt for the next three years.
“I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be easy… there’s an argument to be made that there’s a widening gap [between the Premier League and the Championship]. With all due respect to the other clubs, I think we’re different. We have an opportunity and we have scale that nobody else has.”
As to be expected for a newly promoted side, there have already been a plethora of players linked with moves to Elland Road, with Leeds looking at additions all over the pitch to give them the best possible chance of survival.
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But who do AI think Leeds will sign ahead of the 2025/26 season? Grok, the AI tool on X, gave us five players it thinks will be brought to Yorkshire by the 49ers Enterprises.
AI predicts 5 players Leeds will sign this summer
5
Nick Pope
Newcastle (£30m)
Starting in goal, Leeds have been on the search for a new goalkeeper to replace Illan Meslier after he was dropped by Farke for the Championship run-in.
Meslier may well exit Elland Road if a suitable offer arrives, leaving Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns as back up options to a new first choice keeper. AI thinks the new number one will be Nick Pope, with the Newcastle United ace potentially leaving St James’ Park this summer.
The Magpies have been heavily linked with James Trafford of Burnley, and with Leeds keen to sign Pope, AI feels a transfer could be on the cards for up to £30m.
4
Nico Elvedi
Borussia Monchengladbach (£20m)
A centre-back who was being linked with a move to Leeds before they won promotion was Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi.
A Switzerland international, Elvedi has now been with the Bundesliga side for 10 years and worked with Farke during his brief stint as Monchengladbach boss.
|
Nico Elvedi’s record under Daniel Farke |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
34 |
|
Goals |
3 |
|
Yellow cards |
2 |
|
Minutes played |
3,007 |
A central defender to rival Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, AI states that a deal for Elvedi could be worth £20m.
3
Christantus Uche
Getafe (£15m)
Versatile attacking midfielder Christantus Uche has been catching the eye in La Liga with Getafe and is the next arrival AI think Leeds will make this summer.
The Whites have their eye on the Nigeria international, who can play in a mixture of midfield and attacking roles. AI say that ‘versatility and potential fit Farke’s preference for players who buy into the club’s project, likely costing £10-15m.’
2
Igor Paixao
Feyenoord (£25m)
A new winger is also on the cards for Leeds ahead of the 25/26 season, as it remains to be seen whether or not Manor Solomon will return to Yorkshire from Tottenham following a successful loan spell.
Igor Paixao of Feyenoord, a right-footed winger who plays on the left, has also been mooted as a target for the Whites after scoring 18 goals and registering 19 assists in 24/25. Despite reports suggesting a €40m (£34m) asking price, AI thinks a deal may only cost £25m.
1
Davie Selke
Hamburg (Free)
Finally, a new striker to rival Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford is wanted by Leeds, and a host of names have been linked, including some that won’t command a transfer fee.
Davie Selke fits the bill of being mentioned as a target, and he’s set to be available on a free transfer with his Hamburg contract set to expire. The 30-year-old scored 22 goals in 31 appearances last season and stands at 6ft 4.
AI say his ‘physicality and goal-scoring record in the 2. Bundesliga make him a cost-effective option’, with Leeds recently making contact to sign Selke.
