Player linked with Leeds United, The £20m Newcastle United man and Premier League Struggles
Leeds United remain hopeful of a return to the Premier League and will be planning for a busy summer if they win the play-offs.
Leeds United will need to win the play-offs for the first time in their history if they want to achieve promotion at the first time of asking. Defeat at home to Southampton consigned Daniel Farke’s men to a third-placed finish, with recent slip-ups allowing Ipswich Town to join Leicester City in the top two.
Play-off glory is not something Leeds supporters have enjoyed but this group will hope to end a run of five winless attempts. Whether they succeed or not, those in charge at Elland Road will already be planning for a summer of investment, whether it be to have another crack at going up or cementing Premier League status.
Leeds have been linked with interest in a number of players since the January transfer window, with work already underway behind the scenes. From highly-rated Newcastle United and Sunderland men, to potential free agents from West Ham and Southampton, the YEP has taken a look at some of this summer’s potential targets.
Kalvin Phillips
Expected to leave Manchester City permanently this summer and multiple reports have tipped a return to Elland Road. The YEP understands a deal would be tough financially if Leeds are promoted and virtually impossible if not.
Leeds United defender Joe Rodon will return to Tottenham Hotspur from his loan spell at the end of the season but is likely to leave the club on a permanent basis, according to the latest reports.
Rodon has been an integral part of Daniel Farke’s squad since joining last summer on a season-long loan. The Wales international, who played at two major tournaments for his country, has made 47 appearances in all competitions across the 2023/24 campaign.
Furthermore, the Yorkshire outfit ended the season with the second-best defensive record in the Championship behind league-winners Leicester City and Rodon played a big part in achieving this feat.
Nevertheless, the campaign isn’t finished just yet and Leeds United will need to get past Norwich City in the play-off semi-final if they want to earn promotion back to the Premier League at Wembley at the end of the month. Rodon will be key to this should Farke’s men go all the way.
Football Insider revealed this past week that Leeds hold an option-to-buy the Welsh centre-back at the end of the campaign should they return to the top-flight, claiming that the Whites are “desperate” to bring him back to Elland Road.
