Leeds United are preparing for a busy summer transfer window that will see their creativity put to the test in the market.
The Whites are set for another season in the Championship, having narrowly missed out on an instant return to the Premier League.
It means Daniel Farke will have to pick up his squad of players and make another attempt at promotion next season.
Some big changes are expected for the Leeds boss though, with the transfer market set to bring plenty of chaos.
Plenty of stars have been linked with a potential move away from Elland Road, while there may be a general need to strengthen the options available – not least in the attacking ranks.
So with that said, here’s a look at a potential dream forward line for Leeds after the summer transfer window.
Crysencio Summerville sale
While in a dream world, Leeds would keep hold of Crysencio Summerville this summer, that chance is becoming increasingly unlikely.
The forward was a shining light for the Yorkshire side last season, even winning the Championship Player of the Year award.
However, those performances have only drawn further attention to his talent, as Summerville has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool, Brighton and Chelsea this summer.
While it would be great to keep hold of him, it may be in the best interests of all parties for Leeds to sell the winger and make some profit they can reinvest into their frontline.
Petar Ratkov joins Leeds
An option to bolster the forward ranks could be RB Salzburg wonderkid Petar Ratkov, who has been linked with a move to Leeds this summer.
The 20-year-old would fit the role of a centre-forward, with a target man presence that would allow him to pin centre-backs while also connecting play higher up the pitch.
Ratkov’s move would add a striker who has plenty of potential, while also adding some quality for the current squad.
It would also allow the likes of Georginio Rutter to find a more natural role as a second striker in the current system – where he previously suffered as the main focal point.
Jack Clarke returns to Leeds
So with Summerville likely to leave the club soon, Leeds need to look at replacements for the left flank that offers the same type of quality.
As a result, The Whites should look at manufacturing a return for Jack Clarke over the coming months.
Clarke was a promising option for Leeds before he left for Tottenham in 2019 for a transfer fee worth roughly £10million.
While the 23-year-old struggled to break through at Spurs, he has found much more success at Sunderland.
Clarke scored 15 goals and assisted four times in the Championship last season, despite the Black Cats struggling in the end.
With a deadly right-footed strike from range, the winger has proven he is a top-quality option in the second tier and could be the perfect replacement for Summerville.
Leeds dream forward line
So with the two additions and the one sale, the forward line will have made another transformation over the summer transfer window.
The sale of Summerville would raise funds for other positions in the team that need strengthening while Leeds still have the financial ability to compete at the top end of the division.
With Ratkov joining as a central striker, Rutter would be able to drop into a second-striker role that would suit him well.
The addition of Clarke would replace much of the quality lost by letting Summerville leave, while the other flank would host one of Dan James or Willy Gnonto.
Dream Leeds frontline: Clarke, Rutter, Gnonto; Ratkov.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
