Leeds United will have a few days to celebrate before the club gets back to work to prepare for the Premier League. Daniel Farke and his recruitment team will be the busiest of the bunch as they build a squad for survival next season.
The past two seasons have seen all newly promoted clubs go back down to the Championship. Leeds club chairman Paraag Marathe is very aware of this, and during Sunday’s celebrations, said the club would spend in the transfer market:
“Together we are going to build the best squad we can with every penny we are allowed to spend to compete in the Premier League. I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be easy. I know all the stats, that last season’s three promoted clubs went right back down.”
No one knows how much Leeds will spend during the transfer window, but there are expectations that it will pass the £100million mark.
Leeds United set to let go of three first team stars
Credit: Imago Images
To have enough funds to exceed £100million, the club will surely have to let some players go in order to reinvest funds. TEAMtalk have reported that there are three leading candidates to make an exit this summer.
To no one’s surprise, the first player is Illan Meslier. The goalkeeper lost his place during the run in, and it looks unlikely that he will return to the team next season. Phil Hay recently revealed that Leeds could be in the market for a new keeper:
“Meslier, I struggle to see being first choice at Leeds again. I might be wrong. But the way in which it has happened this season, dropping out of the team on the back of two or three years of downward spiral.
“It makes you think he needs a fresh start and Leeds need to go after a new first-choice goalkeeper. I’d be really surprised if they don’t. I feel like he’s done.”
Patrick Bamford has also been linked with a move away. Graham Smyth all but confirmed the 31-year old will be leaving this summer. Newly promoted Championship side Wrexham are expected to lead the race for him.
Josuha Guilavogui has also said his goodbyes, as his contract expires this summer. Daniel Farke brought him in during the middle of the season for depth during an injury crisis.
Right decision from the club on the trio
The right decision has been made on these three players. Guilavogui has been a great dressing room influence, but his age means he will not be a factor in the Premier League. And with the club expected to sign a new striker, it means Daniel Farke will no longer be forced to rely on the unreliable Bamford, who is almost always on the sideline.
When it comes to Meslier there are valid questions as to who replaces him, but the Frenchman’s time has come to an end and Leeds United are rightfully moving on.
