Exclusive: Leeds United’s top summer signing priority revealed
Daniel Farke is under no illusions that Leeds United must strengthen in one position above all others if promoted to the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.
Leeds are back on course to win automatic promotion from the Championship after a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday, returning Farke’s side to the summit of the table.
Should a return to the Premier League come to pass, Leeds will strengthen in “a few key positions”, with sources telling Football Insider that Farke sees six of his players as ready-made for the top-flight.
Arguably the biggest question mark for United’s transfer business surrounds Illan Meslier, with former Man United scout Mick Brown telling Football Insider that Leeds are ready to accept any offer for him.
However, sources have now told Football Insider that despite a new goalkeeper being close to the top of the list, the definitive “key” position Leeds are looking to strengthen in this summer is at centre-forward.
Daniel Farke in need of striker upgrade at Leeds United
While Meslier’s erratic form has made Leeds’ need for a new goalkeeper a huge talking point throughout this season, Football Insider has been told that it’s instead a striker which will be top priority for Farke.
Leeds’ three-year spell in the Premier League from 2020–2023 saw them struggle to maintain a constant presence up front, with injury and form restricting Patrick Bamford from providing the goals they needed.
Bamford came off the bench at Boro and saw a second Leeds goal wrongly disallowed for offside, but the 31-year-old being thrust into the limelight again is testament to their failures in the transfer market.
Rodrigo, Joe Gelhardt, Willy Gnonto, Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe have all failed to match the centre-forward play a fit and firing Bamford provides, and that’s something Leeds must address this summer.
Leeds already eyeing Patrick Bamford successor
Bamford still being relied on to dig Leeds out of the hole – with promotion by no means a sure thing – is a worrying sign for Piroe and Mateo Joseph, neither of whom have set the Championship alight this term.
Numerous Championship strikers have been linked with summer moves to Elland Road, but Football Insider revealed last month that Leeds are aiming higher than the likes of Norwich City’s Josh Sargent.
Former Peacocks keeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that AC Milan frontman Tammy Abraham is the type of signing Leeds need to be pursuing, yet it remains to be seen if they’ll ever be able to find a number nine who can truly succeed Bamford.