The harsh reality of Leeds United’s post-promotion transfer window is that they may find it difficult to convince ambitious targets to join when an inevitable relegation scrap is to follow.
Daniel Farke has a reputation to fight against in 25/26 regarding his credentials as a Premier League manager, having failed twice in charge of Norwich City.
A key difference to give him a much greater chance this time around is that he won’t be relegated before the season even starts at Elland Road, given the tools required to have a fighting chance, via hefty summer spending.
Leeds United pressing on with transfer targets, but have already tasted rejection
June is 13 days through already and while many might be impatient at the lack of concrete movement, Leeds are clearly actively pursuing reinforcements for pre-season.
Jaka Bijol talks appear to be progressing nicely, the club have submitted an audacious £22million bid for Habib Diarra, and have had talks with Nick Pope’s camp too.
However, those three are not the only names that the club have been in touch with, having been hit with early knock-backs from multiple options, according to the YEP’s Graham Smyth:
“At the same time, the YEP understands that certain players, via their agents, have simply said an outright no to the idea of playing for a newly-promoted Premier League club and Leeds have duly and swiftly moved on.”
Leeds United stung by harsh Premier League reality teed up by Sheffield United, Leicester City and co
Leeds come into a daunting Premier League next season, aiming to buck a very alarming trend of promoted teams being relegated right away without much of a fight.
Sheffield United, Burnley, and Luton Town in 23/24 weren’t ever likely to stay up, while matters got even worse for Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City in 24/25.
Now, there’s the entirely justified response being sent back to the 49ers that players simply don’t want to join a Premier League club that has every chance of being an EFL club within nine months.
Compiling an enticing enough presentation and offer to these players is the task now for Leeds’ newly-assembled trio of Adam Underwood (sporting director), Alex Davies (head of recruitment), and Robbie Evans (managing director) – but the fact of the matter is that a lot of the ideal signings Leeds make will have to be convinced that this side won’t be going down.
Early signs from the calibre of player Leeds are targeting, comments from Paraag Marathe, and the base at which Leeds’ squad are leaving the EFL from all point towards the club hopefully tackling Premier League survival much better than the last six before them.
