With Anton Stach set to arrive at Elland Road, Leeds United’s squad is taking shape nicely ahead of their Premier League opener under the lights against Everton on August 18.
Adam Underwood has sorted out Daniel Farke’s defence, bringing in Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson. Junior Firpo and Max Wober have gone while Sam Byram has signed a new deal.
Four full-backs, four centre-backs. For now, the defence is sorted. Farke is clearly changing the system to a 4-3-3 after doing so on the weekend, which reduces the need to sign a new No.10 this summer.
However, it does mean more options in midfield are required, and in comes both Sean Longstaff and Stach. Focus will now turn to a goalkeeper, a left-sided winger, and a starting striker like Rodrigo Muniz.
‘Priority’ to replace Illan Meslier suffers pre-season injury blow
Leeds need a new goalkeeper after Farke dropped Illan Meslier. The defence need a goalkeeper they can rely on and it certainly isn’t Meslier, who will see his Leeds contract at Elland Road expire in June 2026.
Karl Darlow is the club’s number one, but he was only ever brought in as back-up, and the chances are that Leeds will want better in the Premier League. Lyon’s Lucas Perri is deemed a ‘priority’ at Leeds.
Rated in the region of £13m, Perri is not pursuing an exit after Lyon won their appeal against relegation. But John Textor may have to sell and Leeds could take advantage by luring Perri to Elland Road.
However, a new blow. Made In Gones say Leeds will have to wait a bit longer to get Perri as he has picked up a muscle injury. It means he won’t be able to play in friendlies against RWDM Brussels and Hamburg.
Perri is one of three Brazilians that Leeds United could sign
With three positions remaining as a priority for Underwood and Leeds, the Whites could end up signing three players all from the same country. Perri seems to be the one Leeds want between the sticks.
Graham Smyth says Leeds are prioritising Muniz up front, despite Leeds having a £26m bid rejected for the Fulham ace and then on the left, Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao. Marseille and Feyenoord are in talks.
Leeds are waiting in the wings, hopeful the two clubs fail to agree a fee for Paixao, who had a hand in a whopping 37 goals last season. Leeds could boast some Samba flair against Everton with the trio.
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