Leeds United could be in for somewhat of a squad overhaul this summer.
The Whites failed to secure an immediate return to the Premier League due to a 1-0 defeat against Southampton in the play-off final, consigning them to another year of Championship football.
In the second season after relegation, parachute payments are reduced and so 49ers Enterprises have acknowledged key players will need to be sold to balance the books.
Having said that, chairman Paraag Marathe has been pretty bullish in his insistence Leeds will have a squad ready to go one better come August.
Marathe has confirmed funds will be available to spend, while the lucrative sponsorship deal with Red Bull that was announced last week is also set to give them extra leeway in the market.
Leeds eyeing move for Fulham attacker Bobby De Cordova-Reid
It has been a slow start to the summer across the board so far, with players either away on holiday or preparing to represent their respective country at the EUROs and Copa America.
However, that is not to say work won’t be ongoing behind-the-scenes, with Leeds’ newly formed recruitment team consisting of Jordan Miles, Gretar Steinsson and Nick Hammond keen to make an impact.
Loans and free agents could certainly prove useful to Leeds this summer and with Chelsea’s Alfie Gilchrist having already been linked, there is another Premier League ace on the radar.
According to Team Talk, Leeds and Everton are both monitoring the situation of Fulham attacker Bobby De Cordova Reid, who is set to become a free agent this month.
Talks had been ongoing between De Cordova-Reid and Fulham over a new deal, but the report states they have now stalled and he is expected to depart.
LeedsUnited.News mentioned De Cordova-Reid as a free transfer the club should be looking at and it would appear that is what they are doing.
Why De Cordova Reid would be a great signing for Leeds
Attackers certainly look as though they could be top of the agenda for Leeds this summer due to the amount of quality they could lose.
Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto and Georginio Rutter are all among those who have been touted for exits, and some serious replacements would need signing if they were to depart.
With all those players under the age of 22, their inexperience may have proved costly for Leeds in the end and so someone who is, perhaps, a little more seasoned at this level, could be an asset to the squad.
De Cordova-Reid enjoyed a decent season in the Premier League for Fulham last season, scoring six goals and providing two assists in 17 starts.
He can play both centrally and on either wing, making his versatility one of his most attractive assets.
While he may not possess the flair of the other three, he would bring a lot to Leeds’ frontline and as long as he wouldn’t be the only addition, he is a no brainer.
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