Leeds United are already eyeing some Premier League talents as they aim for a potential return to the Premier League in the 2025/26 season.
After a two-year absence from the top flight, Leeds United are making a strong push for promotion. Under Daniel Farke, the Whites currently sit in 2nd place in the Championship table and could extend their lead over Burnley in 3rd to seven points with a victory over Sunderland on Monday night.
Sheffield United have recently overtaken Leeds at the top after securing a win at Luton Town over the weekend, adding a bit more pressure on Leeds as they prepare to host 4th-place Sunderland at Elland Road on Monday.
However, Leeds remain the favorites to win the league at this stage. Their impressive form has been undeniable, and it’s no surprise if the club is already planning for the summer transfer window, with an eye on strengthening their squad for a Premier League campaign.
Several players have already been linked with a move to Leeds, including January target Emi Buendia and Cameron Archer, who was rumored to be close to a deadline-day move to West Yorkshire.
Leeds United mentioned alongside Conor Coady at Leicester City:
Another name has emerged on Leeds’ summer transfer wishlist: Leicester City defender Conor Coady. The 31-year-old, who has earned 10 caps for England, has made just 10 Premier League appearances for the Foxes this season following his £7.5 million move from Wolves in 2023.
Now, TeamTalk reports that Leeds United may ‘consider’ Coady as a summer option, with the club expected to reinforce the centre-back position during the upcoming transfer window. Several defenders were linked with Leeds in January, but no signings materialized.
Coady began his career at Liverpool but rose to prominence during an eight-year spell at Wolves between 2015 and 2023, making 317 appearances for the club and playing a key role in their Championship title win in 2018.
Daniel Farke has found a quick solution to the centre-back issue, but it’s not a long-term fix:
In January, Leeds identified a centre-back and a striker as their top priorities for reinforcement. However, the centre-back issue appears to have been temporarily resolved, with Ethan Ampadu stepping into the role.
Ampadu and Joe Rodon are currently the main centre-back pairing, and their partnership has been solid, with six consecutive clean sheets. This has even pushed Pascal Struijk to the bench, giving Leeds plenty of defensive options for now.
However, come summer and next season, Farke may want Ampadu to return to midfield, and additional depth at centre-back will likely be a priority. Signing one or even two new centre-backs in the summer could be crucial for Leeds, especially if they secure promotion back to the Premier League.
