Leeds United’s four key summer calls as window opens, including Pascal Struijk dilemma | OneFootball

The summer transfer window opens today, allowing Leeds United and their rivals to trade. Most business may follow the World Cup, but a rapid arrival or exit cannot be ruled out.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, chairman Paraag Marathe expects fewer additions than last year’s 10, of higher calibre, with attacking difference-makers prioritised after defensive foundations were laid in 2025.

Pascal Struijk is in his final year, so speculation will linger until he signs or goes. As a left-footed centre-back signed for free in 2018, he could bring profit. Any sale would force an equal or better replacement, expensive and uncertain, whereas a new deal could be just as significant.

Leeds still need a right-wing or No.10 profile like Harry Wilson, now a free agent. A near £40m January bid for Jorgen Strand Larsen suggested Daniel Farke wants another striker to challenge Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and recruitment must show it can close a big-money deal.

Goalkeeper is the murkiest area. Illan Meslier has gone, Alex Cairns and Karl Darlow are out of contract, in talks, Darlow is attracting interest, and £16m 2025 signing Lucas Perri has underwhelmed. Leeds must decide whether to keep Darlow and Cairns, seek a new No.1, and whether to cut losses on Perri.

Marathe has signalled sales, and moving on fringe players could raise funds without notably weakening the XI, with examples including Joel Piroe, who did not start a Premier League game after August, and Willy Gnonto, while tighter Squad Cost Rules make those calls critical.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk