With promotion secured to the Premier League, there is a case to be made for every position to be improved at Leeds United this summer – either as starting XI replacements, or strength in depth.
The 49ers want six new signings but the truth is, Leeds will probably need more. Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester spent a combined £300m last summer and realistically, Leeds need to spend nine figures.
A goalkeeper, cover at right-back, a centre-back, a replacement for Junior Firpo if he goes, one or two central midfielders, Manor Solomon or another winger, an attacking midfielder and a proven striker.
Plenty of work to do then for Leeds this summer, but The Whites would also be wise to consider a few bargains. Players they can sign on free transfers to save cash for other positions going into 2025-26.
Leeds could make surprise move for Wolves’ Nelson Semedo
Wolves right-back Nelson Semedo is set to see his contract expire at the end of the season, after five years at Molineux. The 42-time Portugal defender has clocked up 161 Premier League games in that time.
Plenty of clubs are likely to want to take a look at the former Barcelona defender, even if he is now 31 years of age. There is every chance that Spanish sides or even clubs from the Middle East consider him.
Well, transfer expert Ben Jacobs has now told The Wolfpack Podcast that Leeds could be “one to watch” when it comes to Semedo. Even if, the one-time £32m signing is on enormous £84,000-a-week wages.
“Leeds might be one to watch,” Jacobs said, discussing Semedo. “The only thing that might put them off Semedo, to my knowledge, is that Leeds will be going for a left-sided rather than a right-sided full back.
“We’ll have to wait and see. If by moving into the Premier League, they feel like an experienced player of his calibre is somebody that they choose to escalate. These are just internal discussions and names.”
Signing Nelson Semedo would be very harsh on Jayden Bogle
Jayden Bogle has been immense for Leeds. The £5m signing from Sheffield United was named in the Championship Team of the Season alongside Ao Tanaka and Dan James, despite a bit of a poor start.
Bogle is a player with Premier League experience and will retain his place in the starting line-up ahead of 2025-26. He needs competition, though the jury is out on whether that is Isaac Schmidt and Sam Byram.
The fact of the matter is, Semedo won’t be joining Leeds as back-up and Leeds won’t to sign Semedo as a second-choice option – given he is a free agent and wages will be big. File this one under very unlikely.
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