Leeds United are expected to be busy in the summer window but how busy completely depends on whether the club can secure promotion to the Premier League this season.
With eight games to go, Leeds sit joint-top with Sheffield United but are ahead on goal difference while Burnley are two points behind in third. Leeds have let a five-point lead slip after just one win in four.
Leeds will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Saturday when Joe Rodon, Joel Piroe and Dan James take on old side Swansea. Swansea have named Alan Sheehan as interim boss until the summer.
Promotion will see Leeds’ summer look a whole lot more positive than it would be if The Whites fail to go up. The first signings Leeds may make is turning Joe Rothwell and Manor Solomon’s loans permanent.
Joe Rothwell discusses a permanent move to Leeds United
The 30-year-old has become a bit of a favourite among Leeds supporters. Certainly, when he first joined, fans questioned his arrival but Daniel Farke thinks Rothwell has proved Leeds fans wrong on the pitch.
Four assists so far, Leeds have been told that Rothwell will cost £7.5m from Bournemouth. Speaking to Leeds Live this week, Rothwell failed to rule out a permanent move but kept the door wide open.
“I’ve not really thought about it. The full focus now is getting the club back to the Premier League. I’ve said it from day dot really, I’ve loved my time here and whether that continues, that’s not up to me.
“That’s between the club and my agent. I’ll just concentrate on doing hopefully helping this club get back up to the Premier League. I haven’t [held talks]. I’ve not looked into it or pushed through [with] it.”
What David Prutton has said about Joe Rothwell signing for Leeds
There is no doubt that Rothwell has starred for Leeds, even if he used rotationally with Ilia Gruev. But if Leeds go up, surely The Whites can do better? Rothwell is an experienced operator in the Championship.
Clocking up north of 200 games in England’s second tier, Rothwell has only played 31 times in the top tier. However, former Leeds man David Prutton believes Leeds should sign Rothwell permanently.
For now, Rothwell is focusing on getting Leeds to the Premier League but it will be interesting to see if Leeds do pursue a permanent deal to land the on-loan Bournemouth midfielder in the summer.
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