Although there’s been a distinct dip in form, it remains the case that Leeds United are the favourites for Championship promotion this season. Perhaps, even, the Championship title.
As they so often do, Leeds United are making hard work of their task in the Championship. At one point, just a few weeks ago, Daniel Farke’s side boasted a five point lead at the top of the Championship table. That gap has shrunk to zero after a 2-2 draw at QPR last time out.
And perhaps more worrying is the fact that Burnley in 3rd are now just two points behind Leeds and Sheffield United, making for a very anxious final run-in when this March international break is finally over.
| 1 | Leeds | 38 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 76 | 25 | 51 | 80 |
| 2 | Sheffield Utd | 38 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 53 | 28 | 25 | 80 |
| 3 | Burnley | 38 | 21 | 15 | 2 | 52 | 11 | 41 | 78 |
Farke’s side though have a relatively nice final stretch of fixtures with none of the current top six on their fixture list. But we’ve seen lately Leeds struggle against some of the league’s weaker side.
Nevertheless, promotion remains the aim and the expectation. And if the club are promoted then the 49ers will need a big summer transfer window. Already, Farke has a growing list of players who he’d like to sign in the even of promotion.
Leeds United eyeing new goalkeepers including Caoimhin Kelleher
The goalkeeper department at Elland Road looks set for change ahead of the summer with Aaron Ramsdale and Caoimhin Kelleher among the names linked. But Leeds United fan don’t want Ramsdale as they’re unimpressed with his relegation record. Kelleher would be the preferred, albeit ambitious option.
Bournemouth plan on making a move for Kelleher but Leeds remain in the race for the Irishman, who Liverpool could sell for £20million in the summer, with his contract set to expire in 2026.
Elsewhere, Farke might stick with the likes of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk at centre-back but bolster his full-back positions with Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters linked with Leeds United, as he nears the end of his Saints contract, and a couple of full-backs links as Junior Firpo gains transfer interest from abroad.
One left-back linked with Leeds is Wolves Hugo Bueno. It’s reported that Leeds United could make a move for Bueno amid his fine form on loan at Feyenoord this season.
The central midfield positions feel somewhat like the centre-back positions for Farke: he has quality there already, especially if he’s able to re-sign Joe Rothwell on a permanent deal, but extra one or two signings in this area.
It’s in attack where more specified names are being mentioned.
Several attackers linked with Leeds United including Tammy Abraham
One name heavily linked with Leeds in both January and ahead of the summer is Cameron Archer. Southampton’s £15million man looks set to leave in the summer with the Saints nailed on for relegation, and Archer is open to joining Leeds United too. Or at least he was in January.
Promotion shouldn’t change his mind and Farke will be determined to get his man, and likely determined to pull off a deal for Manor Solomon too. There’s growing transfer interest in Solomon but the Israeli appears to be enjoying life in West Yorkshire, as Spurs plan to offload the player in the summer.
Up front, Leeds United have a number of strikers on their shortlist, including Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor. But two seem more like prime targets, or they’re at least being more heavily linked with Leeds: Tammy Abraham and Josh Sargent.
Roma want £21million for Abraham whilst Norwich City want £17million for Sargent, who’s scored 12 in 24 Championship appearances already this season. One of those surely leads the line in Leeds’ dream Premier League XI, and it could be Abraham that’s the preferred option given his Premier League record.
The no.10 position will also need to be bolstered. Brenden Aaronson has faced criticism in recent weeks, and indeed for large spells of the season, though Leeds aren’t necessarily being linked with any no.10s right now. Archer though could be the best option for that position.
Here’s what Leeds United’s promotion XI could look like at the start of next season…
(4-2-3-1)
Kelleher (GK)
Bueno
Struijk
Rodon
Walker-Peters
Rothwell
Tanaka
Solomon
Archer
James
Abraham
If Kelleher, Bueno, Rothwell, Solomon, Archer, and Abraham sign for their reported transfer values or the fees last paid for them, then they’d cost Leeds United a combined £87million (Kelleher £20million, Bueno £8.5million, Rothwell £7.5million, Solomon £15million, Archer £15million, Abraham £21million).
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