The Whites are expected to be busy in the window, just not as busy as they were last summer when there was a mass exodus to deal with and a lot to do in terms of replacement. This summer is far likely to see continuity reign, with Daniel Farke content with the nucleus of his squad and looking to simply add strength where needed. There will however be a job to do when it comes to replacing stars because Leeds have made no secret of the need to sell at least one prize asset this summer. Chairman Paraag Marathe said as much just two days after the season ended in Wembley heartbreak. Player trading is to be expected, in both directions, but Leeds must take steps to ensure they stay on the right side of EFL financial regulations.
On Friday afternoon Leeds confirmed the sale of Marc Roca to Real Betis for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £4m. Jack Harrison’s second loan to Everton is done and dusted. Sonny Perkins is off to Leyton Orient for the season. But there is other outgoing loan business to attend to in the form of players like Max Wober who are unlikely to receive a warm welcome at Elland Road having fled the club last summer.
With pre-season starting again next week at Thorp Arch, where a number of Farke’s men will report back to begin testing and training, there is plenty to be done. Regardless of how prepared the Whites were for the window, the business of getting deals over the line is yet to be completed. The only new face confirmed for pre-season is Brenden Aaronson, back from his loan with Union Berlin, and even he will report back late due to his Copa America involvement. There are two out of contract players with whom talks need to conclude, if Leeds is to remain their home, players to sign, a sale or two to be made, replacements to be found and undoubtedly interest to be fended off. 49ers Enterprises’ general stance of only talking when there is something to say extends to transfers and for a second summer running they’re keeping things quiet on that front. Here’s what we know, what we make of what’s being said elsewhere so far, what you can laugh off and what we could see.
1. Marc Roca - done deal
The Spaniard is gone, for good. He wasn't coming back, no one at Leeds expected him back and the club seems content that the deal was not going to leave them with a P&S loss. | AFP via Getty Images
2. Jack Harrison - done deal
Jack Harrison, like Roca, was one of the very small number of players with the option to reactivate his loan clause this summer. That was the option he took and Leeds' wording in their press release, that he had 'decided' to join Everton, said a lot without saying a lot. Difficult to see him returning to Elland Road ever and a summer 2025 sale would surely be in everyone's interest. | Getty Images
3. Sonny Perkins - done deal
Off to Leyton Orient on loan for the season. Really needs this one to work. In the final year of his deal with Leeds and maybe there's a way back but it's clear he is yet to do what Daniel Farke wants to see and so he must shine in League One. | Getty Images
4. Sam Byram - staying
The full-back triggered a one-year extension to his deal with his appearances last season. It's good business for Leeds. He was a free transfer last summer, he showed he still has tremendous quality and if he can stay fit to play a similar number of games, or maybe even more, it'll all have been worth it. | Getty Images
5. Brenden Aaronson - returning
Though some in the fanbase still believe he'll be off again, both the player and Leeds sources have confirmed on the record that the plan is for him to be a part of Daniel Farke's squad. We could see him in the 10 role or maybe even pushed out to the right wing to accommodate Rutter or A.N. Other at 10. Will be back after Copa America, with work to do to impress the fans. | Getty Images
6. Liam Cooper - in talks
Cooper has options beyond the deal on the table from Leeds United. He's got plenty of football left in him and after a disappointing Euros with Scotland he'll be having some downtime and deciding on his future. Hard to see that being at Elland Road if gametime is on offer elsewhere, and it will be. | Getty Images