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Leeds United have their first signing of the summer - giving the club’s strongest XI and bench a different look to it.
The arrival of Welsh international winger Harry Wilson as a free transfer signing was finally announced on Wednesday afternoon, Wilson having become a free agent this summer as his contract at Fulham expired.
Leeds almost signed Wilson last summer on transfer deadline day only for Fulham to pull the plug on the deal and the winger went on to bag ten goals and seven assists in a stellar campaign individually for his side.
But Leeds now have their man 12 months on as the club’s first arrival of the summer following the exits of defender Pascal Struijk in a £20m move to Brighton and also keeper Illan Meslier and last season’s Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte.
Meslier is now set to move to Arsenal as back up keeper.
At Leeds meanwhile keepers Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns plus right back Sam Byram meanwhile are all now technically speaking free agents upon their deals expiring, Leeds revealing as they issued their retained list that talks were ongoing with all three players.
That leaves their futures uncertain and here we run through our idea of the club’s new strongest XI and bench following the deal for Wilson including a big call with an attacker now moved to the bench.
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13. Sub: James Justin
Justin initially had to be patient in the wait for minutes after joining the club from Leicester City last summer but the 28-yeare-old then proved extremely reliable when called upon anywhere across the defence as part of a strong run in the side. Unfortunate to be on the bench but a very good player to have there as an option in so many different positions. | Getty Images
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14. Sub: Sebastiaan Bornauw
Another who has proved a very solid signing and the obvious other back-up defensive option on the bench although young centre back Alfie Cresswell is clearly knocking on the door too and it's worth remembering that Leeds still have an international defender on their books in Max Wober too following his recent loan spells away from the club although quite what the future holds for him remains to be seen. | Getty Images
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15. Sub: Ao Tanaka
The fourth Leeds player who has represented the club at the World Cup with Japan and a player who would probably make the first choice XI if Farke went with three centre mids as opposed to three attackers - as seems more likely with Wilson and Okafor. | Getty Images
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16. Sub: Sean Longstaff
A very capable player on his day who would not look out of place in the strongest XI and another obvious one for the bench although it could be a case of Longstaff or Ilia Gruev as the other midfield option once Gruev returns from injury. Assuming Farke goes for another midfielder on the bench that is. | Getty Images
17. Sub: Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson was one of Farke's most called on players last season and the American might well still make the strongest XI but it's hard to think that both Okafor and Wilson won't start so Aaronson likely now drops to the bench. | Getty Images
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18. Sub: Dan James
By this point Farke is already running out of spaces on his bench but James is probably the next option out wide although it might now be a case of one from James or Gnonto unless a forward is moved. | Getty Images