(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Fri 24 April 2026 7:45, UK

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Ladislav Krejci has emerged as a summer transfer target for Leeds United but they have now been told they should look elsewhere.

The Wolves defender is part of the squad whose relegation was confirmed on Monday night, and is likely to become available in the transfer window as a result.

Daniel Farke, meanwhile, is keen to bolster his defensive options and the 27-year-old has been identified as an option to add to their squad ahead of next season.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Leeds should hold off on signing players from Wolves or Burnley this summer.

While it can be tempting to poach players from relegated sides, their struggles in the Premier League have raised red flags ahead of a crucial window for Leeds.

Could Leeds make a move to sign Ladislav Krejci?

Brown told Football Insider on 21 April that Leeds could sign Krejci from Wolves for a discounted fee following their relegation from the Premier League.

The possibility of a cut-price deal is believed to have put the recruitment team on alert at Elland Road, but there are question marks about whether he is good enough.

Leeds are continuing to assess a number of options to strengthen at the back, and the worries about Krejci’s form could force them to look elsewhere.

“Leeds have to be wary of signing players from relegated teams,” Brown told Football Insider.

“Everybody does it, every club in the Premier League will be looking at Wolves and Burnley and seeing whether they have any players capable of staying in the top division.

“The problem I have with that, especially for a team in and around that relegation battle like Leeds, is that these players have shown they’re not good enough.

“It’s a major worry when a team goes down in the way Wolves have, because what have those players done to show they deserve to be in the Premier League.

“If you’re Leeds, you want to strengthen your squad to give you a better chance of staying up next season, and relegated players won’t give you that.

“They’re going to be looking at a number of options for that position, and if I was involved, I would be looking elsewhere because there are better deals to be done.”

Why are Leeds targeting new centre-backs?

Leeds’ efforts to sign defensive reinforcements come amid ongoing speculation about the future of a number of their key players at the back.

Farke’s defensive unit has been crucial to their hopes of survival this season, but Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are all attracting interest from elsewhere.

Brown told Football Insider on 21 April that Leeds are doing everything to keep Struijk at Elland Road beyond the end of the season amid growing interest.

The 26-year-old has been a crucial part of Farke’s side this season and has helped them get into a strong position to avoid relegation as things stand.

As a result, Leeds are extremely reluctant to see any of their star players leave, and are making efforts to keep them at the club and identify quality replacements just in case.