Leeds United blow as Fulham now ‘expected to open talks’ with free agent wanted by Daniel Farke

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Leeds United appear to be plotting a raid on some of the Premier League’s relegated clubs this summer, specifically Southampton.

Leeds United are replacing Southampton in the Premier League a year on from their play-off final defeat against the Saints at Wembley.

Southampton are on course to match the Premier League record for the lowest-ever points tally with 11 to their name with four games to go, in what’s been a disastrous season both on and off the pitch for the Saints.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have been promoted to the Premier League under Daniel Farke. The Whites are now eyeing up the title and they took a massive step towards that after beating Bristol City 4-0 on Monday night.

Very soon, the club’s summer transfer plans will start to come to fruition. It’s understood that the 49ers have a summer transfer plan for Leeds United but there remains ongoing uncertainty over Farke’s future at Elland Road.

And with that comes uncertainty over the club’s transfer plans.

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Fulham to enter talks with Leeds United target Kyle Walker-Peters

One Southampton player linked with Leeds United is Kyle Walker-Peters. But amid this ongoing uncertainty over Farke’s future, one of the Whites’ new Premier League rivals seem to have stolen a march over the Whites in the race for Walker-Peters.

Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has revealed on X that Marco Silva’s Fulham ‘are interested in signing’ Walker-Peters when his Saints contract expires this summer. But there could be time yet for Leeds United to get a deal over the line for Walker-Peters who’ll be focused on finishing the season in strong fashion with Southampton.

Sheth adds: “Fulham are expected to open talks with his representatives at the end of the season and are aware there will be competition for him.”

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Who will front the Leeds United transfer decisions this summer?

Many clubs go down the route of directors of football or sporting directors. They often handle pretty much all transfers, ins and outs, though Leeds United are certainly different.

CEO Angus Kinnear is leaving Leeds United for Everton. He could yet take recruitment figure Gary Penrice and also football advisor Nick Hammond with him, leaving Leeds with a few gaps behind the scenes ahead of their Premier League return.

But a recent report revealed who will tackle the issue of transfers this summer. Farke will have the final say on Leeds United transfers and he’ll also be aided by chairman Paraag Marathe, chief strategy officer Robbie Evans, and head of football operations Adam Underwood.

So uncertainty over Farke’s future means uncertainty over transfers at Elland Road. It means we could see a lot of Leeds’ reported targets snapped up by clubs more prepared, like Fulham making a move for Walker-Peters.