Leeds United remain in talks for trio as club chief tells fans of possible quick deal 'willingness'
Leeds United remain in negotiations with a trio of early summer targets in the first busy period of what the club expects to be a two-part window.
As the YEP reported last week, Leeds are keen on Southampton midfielder Shea Charles who can operate as a deep-lying option but likes to get forward and create too. It was reported over the weekend that the Whites had tabled a £20m bid, which was subsequently rejected. The YEP understands that Leeds view it as an ongoing process rather than the end of their pursuit, and talks are continuing as they attempt to reach a deal for the 23-year-old. The arrival of another central midfielder would open up the possibility of someone in Daniel Farke’s current midfield options leaving Elland Road this summer. Farke by his own admission is not a fan of carrying too many players in his squad due to his desire to protect squad harmony. Club captain Ethan Ampadu signed a new long-term contract this summer and has been described by Farke as the club’s ‘most important player’ and Anton Stach became key last season after signing from Hoffenheim. Sean Longstaff, Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev spent time in and out of the side, with the latter’s campaign ended early through a knee injury.
The YEP also reported late last week that Borussia Dortmund stalwart Julian Brandt was another target for Leeds. The 48-cap Germany international will be a free agent this summer and though he has Champions League interest, Leeds are in the conversation and hope they can sway him to move to the Premier League. And Harry Wilson is another free agent the club are tracking, having attempted to sign him at the end of the 2025 summer transfer window. It was only when Fulham changed their minds at the last minute that Wilson remained at Craven Cottage, where he put together a career season with 10 goals and seven assists in the English top flight. Leeds are still in negotiations over possible deals for the attack-minded pair.
Last week at a Premier League fixtures launch event at Elland Road managing director Robbie Evans addressed supporters and said the club had detected a willingness on the part of some potential targets - not playing in the World Cup - to get deals done quickly at the outset of the summer window. Evans also suggested that while a window is always busy, the World Cup had split the summer in two, with an intense period now and then a second period of activity after the tournament ends. The American told fans that Leeds do hold interest in some players playing in the World Cup and that next season would still be about Premier League consolidation.