Leeds United’s summer priorities set, goalkeeper, striker and number 10 lead, with three depth options considered | OneFootball

Leeds United’s summer needs look to be a goalkeeper, a striker and a number 10. According to Leeds Live, chairman Paraag Marathe wants a strategic, disciplined window under new Squad Cost Ratio rules. The plan is to target higher quality, likely meaning fewer than last summer’s 10 arrivals.

Goalkeeper is the most fluid call, with Karl Darlow in talks but not guaranteed to stay. Even if he re-signs, Daniel Farke could seek a new option, with £13.9m Lucas Perri vulnerable. Darlow started as number two and Perri was dropped, so a longer term solution may be wise.

Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be first choice but needs stronger competition or a better back-up. Free signing Lukas Nmecha scored seven, yet United lose a lot when Calvert-Lewin is off and he is not a target man. Given his injury record and that he turns 30 next year, extra insurance is prudent.

A versatile number 10 who can operate wide would suit any Farke set-up. Brenden Aaronson alternated between a wide 10 and a flank role, while Facundo Buonanotte underwhelmed as a stop-gap. If that arrives, Leeds might cash in on Aaronson, though that would leave no natural deputy.

Depth checks include a back-up left-back, with Jayden Lienou promising but raw. Centre-back cover may be needed if a back three is kept, more so if Pascal Struijk leaves or Sebastiaan Bornauw seeks minutes. Central midfield could be revisited if Ao Tanaka or Ilia Gruev depart, a lower tier consideration.

Source: Leeds Live