Leeds United make first move to sign £6m captain as Daniel Farke set to play a blinder

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With Leeds United on the cusp of automatic promotion, it looks as if Daniel Farke and The 49ers are already putting plans in place when it comes to the summer transfer window.

The summer could not look any more different between getting promoted, and another season in the Championship if Leeds capitulate and fail to secure promotion back to the Premier League at this stage.

It comes after Leeds picked up a second successive win with a 2-1 victory over Preston, while Sheffield United suffered a third straight defeat at Plymouth. Four games to go, Leeds are ahead of third by five.

The Premier League looks likely and if things go Leeds’ way, they could secure automatic promotion in less than a week’s time should results go their way over Easter. Leeds face Oxford United and Stoke.

• READ MORE: How close did Leeds come to splashing £20m on a player now in Bundesliga 2

Leeds make initial contact to sign Gladbach captain Julian Weigl

But clearly, The Whites are confident of promotion. That is because they are already putting foundations in place for top-tier signings, with Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg delivering some big transfer news.

Plettenberg reports that Leeds have already made initial contact to sign Gladbach captain Julian Weigl. A player Daniel Farke signed from Benfica at Gladbach for £6m, and a midfielder with Germany caps.

The report states that Weigl would be open to a move to the Premier League and the chance to reunite with Farke. Weigl has a contract until 2028, where he earns between £50,000 and £57,000 a week after tax.

Plettenberg said: “Leeds are monitoring Weigl. The 29 y/o captain of Gladbach earns a gross annual salary of around €3–3.5m, plus performance bonuses and incentives, making him one of the club’s top earners.

“Farke and Weigl maintain a good relationship. Leeds have already made initial contact to assess if the midfielder would consider a move to England. Weigl would only consider a move to the Premier League.”

What Daniel Farke has said about Julian Weigl in recent weeks

Earlier this month, Farke broke character and gave an interview mid-season to overseas media. Leeds manager Farke told TransferMarkt that Weigl is a “great player and person”, both on and off the pitch.

There is no doubt that a layer with Weigl’s CV will interest Leeds and certainly, improve then. Weigl is also pretty affordable given he is due to enter his thirties, earning a wage that Leeds can certainly afford.

At least, if the club is promoted. Renowned for his passing, work rate and technique, Weigl could well be tempted by Leeds if the club do return to the Premier League. Plenty of work to do beforehand, though.