Certainly, the last summer prior to a Premier League season at Leeds saw Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch spend big on players that had not played a minute in the Premier League – and relegation occurred.
Paraag Marathe was on the Leeds board at the time and perhaps, he has learned from those mistakes. Certainly, Leeds are being linked with players currently in the Premier League, or have played there.
West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal, Everton striker Beto, Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff and a wealth of different goalkeepers including Caoimhin Kelleher are all on Leeds’ shortlist going into the summer.
Leeds now targeting Kelleher’s Liverpool teammate to solve issue
Another area of Daniel Farke’s squad that looks like it will need investment is full-back. Junior Firpo is being strongly linked with a move to Betis, while Sam Byram does not look as if he will sign a new deal.
It leaves Farke with just Jayden Bogle and Isaac Schmidt as proven full-backs, while Max Wober has been used on the left in the Championship – but even Wober is expected to leave Elland Road this summer.
According to The Mail, Leeds have added Liverpool left-back and Premier League champion Konstantinos Tsimikas to their shortlist. The £15m signing, currently on £80,000 a week, is allowed to leave Liverpool.
Konstantinos Tsimikas and Junior Firpo’s Premier League numbers
There are a couple of reasons why Leeds may not want to keep Firpo. His first two years at Elland Road were a real struggle and Firpo will point to the fact he had injuries, and had to suffer with Covid, too.
But in the Premier League, there won’t be much time to play to Firpo’s strengths – which is in the final third. Leeds will be defending more than attacking and that is where Firpo’s weaknesses are exploited.
Leeds need a more-reliable, proven Premier League performer. Whether Tsimikas is that remains to be seen given the Greece star has always played as back-up to Andy Robertson while in English football.
