It is quite easy to work out which positions Leeds United need to strengthen between now and the start of the Premier League season – as Adam Underwood closes in on two major deals.
The club’s new sporting director is working to sign Jaka Bijol at centre-back and Strasbourg captain Habib Diarra in midfield. Two crucial signings that will see Leeds splash around £40m to agree the two deals.
But it cannot stop there. Leeds still need a new goalkeeper, a better version of Brenden Aaronson in the 10 role, and a striker that can be relied upon to score in the Premier League, with Joel Piroe unproven.
If Bijol and Diarra do arrive, it is a great start. The list of what Leeds require this summer could grow even further if Junior Firpo departs. Firpo is in talks with Lyon and AC Milan and is now expected to depart.
Leeds miss a trick as Bournemouth set to strike £14m deal
The Whites need a left-back who can replace the attacking intensity lost in Firpo, which saw the former Barcelona man have a hand in 14 goals last season. Well, Bournemouth are about to sign the ideal man.
Among many outlets, Ben Jacobs reports that Bournemouth have agreed a £14m deal to sign Rennes left-back Adrien Truffert. He would have been the perfect replacement for Firpo if he does end up leaving.
Currently captain of Rennes, one-time France international Truffert has clocked up a huge 191 matches at just 23. Experienced, yet still way before his prime – something Leeds have targeted in Bijol and Diarra.
In those 191 games, he has had a hand in 32 goals. An attacking full-back with goals and assists, still only 23 but vastly experienced and clearly a leader given he wears the armband. All of that, for just £14m.
Which other left-backs are Leeds targeting, instead?
The fact Bournemouth are signing Truffert shows just how good he is. The Cherries’ recruitment has been superb, leading to Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen, and Ilya Zabarnyi becoming a target for PSG.
Their recruitment not only sees them bring in top, young players on the cheap but players they are also able to sell on for massive profit. Leeds have been linked with several left-backs in recent weeks.
Konstantinos Tsimikas is the obvious one, but Tsimikas is 29 and there are question marks over just how good he is, considering he’s played less than 70 times in the Premier League over a five-year period.
Whoever Leeds do go and sign to replace Firpo – which is now clearly, as much a priority as the initial positions sounded out – will need to be as good a signing as Truffert. But, that is easier said than done.
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