It’s the end of an era at Elland Road as Pascal Struijk is set to complete a move from Leeds United to Brighton in the coming days – but who could Leeds sign to replace him?
Reports emerged on Saturday evening that Struijk is set to leave Leeds. The Dutch defender has a deal at Elland Road until the end of next season, and Leeds were hopeful that Struijk would sign a new contract.
£20m for Struijk: The best of a bad situation?
After eight years, Struijk is leaving Leeds.
That’s why it has come as a surprise that Struijk has decided to inform Leeds he won’t be signing a new deal. Brighton have pounced, and with Leeds stuck between a rock and a hard place, have accepted.
It is expected that a £20m fee is set to change hands between Leeds and Brighton, as the 49ers accept a slightly-reduced price instead of losing Struijk for nothing next summer. But who replaces him at Leeds?
Five centre-backs likeliest to replace Struijk at Leeds United
Ousmane Diomande (Sporting)
Leeds have been linked with making a club-record bid for Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande in recent weeks, but only by sources in Portugal. The 22-year-old giant is expected to leave Sporting this summer.
If Leeds were able to get the centre-back, it would be a major coup. More recently, Chelsea are said to have taken the lead in talks for Diomande. But with Struijk leaving, Leeds may choose to intensify interest.
Danilho Doekhi (Union Berlin)
Leeds were initially linked with Brenden Aaronson’s old Union Berlin teammate in January, after it had been confirmed that the goalscoring centre-half would leave Union at the end of his current contract.
Nothing has changed since, Doekhi will be leaving Union on a free when his deal ends on Tuesday. With Struijk leaving, Leeds’ interest is likely to remain – especially with Leeds no strangers to a free transfer.
Ladislav Krejci (Wolves)
Czech Republic captain Ladislav Krejci is on his way home from the World Cup despite scoring against South Korea, and that may allow Leeds to secure a deal in the coming weeks for the Wolves defender.
Krejci has spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Wolves from Spanish side Girona. A deal includes an obligation, but Wolves are likely to have to sell after that goes through. Leeds are one club interested.
Lee Han-beom (Feyenoord)
Plenty of scouts are at the World Cup as things stand, and Leeds are no different. One player the Whites’ talent spotters have identified at this summer’s competition is South Korea international Lee Han-beom.
The Feyenoord ace would make sense, given he is a left-footed centre-back playing on the left side of a back three. Renowned for his technical abilities and set-piece quality, he might be a player Leeds look at.
On a scale of 1-10, how good would Diomande be? 🧱
Explain!
Santiago Bueno (Wolves)
A player in Marcelo Bielsa’s disappointing Uruguay side at the World Cup, Bueno partnered Krejci during the 2025-26 season at Wolves. While Wolves were relegated, Bueno and Krejci actually played well.
Wolves will need to cash in going into the new season, and Uruguay star Bueno will want to leave the club if he harbours any long-term ambition of playing for Uruguay. Leeds are among the clubs interested.
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