Leeds United's four big summer decisions as transfer window officially opens - including Pascal Struijk future
Leeds United’s transfer business can get underway from today.
The summer transfer window officially opened this morning with Leeds United and their rivals free to do business. In reality, much of the work at Elland Road will come after the World Cup but a quickfire arrival or exit cannot be categorically ruled out.
Chairman Paraag Marathe has recently spoken to the YEP on transfer plans, suggesting there will be fewer additions than last year’s 10, albeit of higher quality. Attacking difference-makers remain the priority after strong defensive foundations were built in 2025.
There will be plenty for Marathe and his colleagues to do this summer but some decisions will inevitably carry more weight than others. Below, the YEP takes a look at four of those biggest calls.
Pascal Struijk’s future
Leeds aren’t minded to weaken their current squad but could be left with a difficult decision to make on Struijk. The Dutchman is into the final year of his contract this summer and until the point at which he signs or leaves, speculation will only intensify.
A free transfer back in 2018, Struijk is arguably the member of Farke’s squad most able to generate profit and if Leeds want to become a trading club, they need to identify opportunities for profit. Ball-playing left-footed centre-backs are always a hot commodity but that also means they are hard to get.
If Leeds do sell Struijk, it’s imperative they replace him with equal or better quality and that won’t come cheap - there’s also no guarantee they get it right. Alternatively, getting a new contract signed would be as good a piece of business as tying down Ethan Ampadu recently.
Attacking game-changers
As already mentioned, Leeds built themselves a strong foundation last summer with experienced and physical arrivals including Jaka Bijol and Anton Stach. The focus this window needs to be further forward, where Elland Road chiefs fell short in certain areas a year ago.
They missed out on Harry Wilson and still need a right-wing/No.10 profile exactly like his - interestingly, the Welshman is now a free agent - while a near-£40m January bid for Jorgen Strand Larsen suggests Farke wants another striker. Dominic Calvert-Lewin needs proper competition.
Leeds’ recruitment team answered a lot of questions last summer but one still being asked is of their ability to get a big-money deal over the line, like ones for Igor Paixao or Rodrigo Muniz. That’s the kind of quality they need to bring in if they are to materially improve up top.
The goalkeeper situation
It’s the area of Farke’s squad where there is most uncertainty, and uncertainty has lingered for a couple of years. Illan Meslier has left, Alex Cairns and Karl Darlow are both out of contract this summer - both are in talks but the latter is also attracting outside interest - and £16million 2025 arrival Lucas Perri has flattered to deceive.
Leeds can start with securing their own, tying Darlow and Cairns down to new deals. Then it’s time to decide how they want their goalkeeper group to look, whether that involves bringing in a new No.1 and whether they decide to cut their losses on the so-far disappointing Perri.
Then there is a question, less pressing admittedly, as to who fills the fourth-choice spot left by Meslier - or if anyone does at all. Leeds have a hugely promising youngster in the form of Scotland youth international Rory Mahady who could feasibly be promoted into the role, allowing him to work with a hugely experienced group.
Get the exits right
Marathe has already said there will be sales this summer, in fact he made a point to mention it more than once during his end-of-season interview. First-team regulars like Struijk will attract obvious interest but it’s those on the fringes that Leeds need to move on from if they are to churn and strengthen Farke’s side.
Players like Joel Piroe, who didn’t start a Premier League game after August, or Willy Gnonto present a chance to Leeds to raise funds without massively weakening Farke’s starting-XI. Returning loanees like Joe Gelhardt can also generate profit after impressive seasons away from LS11.
While the prospect of losing certain players might not feel particularly comfortable - fan-favourites like Gnonto or Ao Tanaka being examples - that’s how well-run clubs fund future investment. And with the new Squad Cost Rules tightening the purse strings a little, it’s something Leeds need to get absolutely right.