Front-runner named in Crystal Palace and Leeds United race to sign £20m midfielder with 23 G/A last season

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Leeds United could be about to be beaten to one of their midfield transfer targets by their new Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, in what could become a familiar story this summer.

The summer transfer window is upon us, albeit with a week closure for the Club World Cup, and we’re seeing Daniel Farke set his sights on a growing horde of potential new Leeds United recruits.

But we’re yet to see anyone officially make the move to Elland Road. The closest right now seems to be Udinese’s Jaka Bijol, with reports that Leeds United are working hard to sign Bijol in a bid to bolster their centre-back ranks.

For Farke, centre-back is just one of a number of positions that are looking dangerously low on numbers right now. Another is in central midfield where options are thin following Joe Rothwell’s return to parent club Bournemouth.

It’s been reported that Kalvin Phillips wants to return to Leeds United although it doesn’t look like the feeling is totally mutual, with Farke putting the feelers out for other midfield names. One such name is Finn Azaz.

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Crystal Palace leading the race to sign Leeds United transfer target

Crystal Palace have managed to establish themselves in the Premier League since their promotion in 2013. In West Yorkshire, the 49ers want to establish Leeds United in the Premier League and they’ve set their sights on achieving European football in the coming years at Elland Road.

But for the time being, Leeds are bottom of the pecking order in the Premier League, and Crystal Palace could yet beat the Whites to a number of new signings this summer with Azaz now a name on their transfer radar, after reports linked Azaz with a move to Leeds United.

Irish Examiner state that Palace are currently front of the queue to sign the £20million-rated Azaz who shone for Middlesbrough in 2024/25. The 24-year-old Ireland international scored 12 and assisted 11 more in 45 total Championship games for Boro.

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Crystal Palace are becoming Leeds United’s nemesis in the transfer market

Palace are becoming quite the thorn in Leeds United’s side, in terms of the transfer market, with the Eagles constantly being linked with players that are on Leeds’ radar.

Earlier in the summer it was reported that Crystal Palace had offered a contract to Bright Osayi-Samuel who was linked with a move to Elland Road, but has now agreed to join Besiktas. Shortly after, reports revealed how Crystal Palace wanted to sign Jamie Vardy who is another name on Farke’s shortlist.

Meanwhile, Mateus Fernandes is linked with a £30million move to Leeds United from Southampton this summer. But Oliver Glasner also has the young midfielder on his radar at Selhurst Park.

Now there’s Azaz. And what’s worrying for Leeds is that Palace are a very established and exciting Premier League team, with Europa League football now on offer after they won the FA Cup.