Leeds United have enjoyed a strong transfer window so far but they are still at least three signings away from making it a perfect one.
The 2025-26 Premier League season is looming ever larger on the horizon and Leeds United can only hope they’ve prepared for the battle to come.
Opta may have predicted Leeds will go down but Daniel Farke has worked hard to get his squad into fighting shape.
Leeds’ seven signings so far have increased the side’s height, experience and physicality for the top flight and fixed several troubled positions.
However, the work can’t be done yet, especially after Farke bemoaned his side’s lack of attacking quality in the draw with Villarreal.
Attacking positions still need to be enhanced before the transfer window closes on September 1.
- Every player linked with Leeds in the transfer window: Latest fees and news on Daniel Farke’s targets
The three positions Leeds United need to strengthen in transfer window
Farke has already solved several issues in his squad by bringing in a goalkeeper, left-back, two centre-backs and two combative midfielders.
But they are all industrious signings and there is a clear shortage of attacking flair in the squad, which must be remedied.
Leeds still need:
A striker
Joel Piroe won the Championship Golden Boot last term and has scored in three friendlies in a row this summer, but question marks remain about his ability to provide the goals Leeds will need to stay up.
The forward certainly deserves a chance to prove he can do so, but Leeds can’t afford to go into the campaign with just him and Lukas Nmecha as their only options.
Patrick Bamford has been told he is not in Farke’s plans and Mateo Joseph is agitating for a move to Real Betis.
A playmaker
Brenden Aaronson may have played every game last season but he contributed just two assists, a shockingly low creative output for the side’s only attacking midfielder.
The American can certainly be a useful asset thanks to his stamina, reliability and eye for a goal, but Aaronson needs to be upgraded upon as the side’s spark in the No.10 position.
A winger
Willy Gnonto and Dan James are good options on the flanks but there is little guarantee they will be able to keep up their good form in the Premier League.
With Manor Solomon seemingly not returning, that leaves only Largie Ramazani as an alternative and Farke did not fancy him at all last season.
Leeds will need a quality winger regardless of what system they play next year and have been forced back to the drawing board after missing out on Igor Paixao to Marseille.
How Daniel Farke’s team could look if he makes three dream signings
Thankfully, Leeds appear to be on top of the positions and have top targets in mind for each one.
Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz has been eyed as the No.1 striker target for months, with Fulham even turning down a bid earlier in the summer.
Atalanta had been linked but don’t appear willing to pay the asking price, which does leave Leeds the chance to get their man. For now.
Bilal El Khannouss has seemingly emerged as the next top creative target, though the exciting Leicester City playmaker is attracting a lot of interest.
Finally, Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa could be the perfect alternative to Paixao.
Here’s how Leeds could line up if all three are signed:
Farke has mostly been lining up in a 4-3-3 this summer rather than 4-2-3-1, in order to give the side a more solid midfield base. That could be the go-to formation next season, which would see the playmaker role sacrificed.
No matter, El Khannouss is also comfortable on the left flank and could play out there, with James likely to still be preferred to Bakwa as the first-choice right winger.
Muniz would likely lead the line if Leeds splash the cash to sign him from Fulham.
If the three players were signed, it would give Farke a lot of options and tactical flexibility, exactly what’s needed for the campaign to come.
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