No one at Leeds United will risk prematurely celebrating promotion but with just a dozen games to go and the outlook so promising, club chiefs will surely be laying early plans out for a summer of strengthening for Premier League football. Daniel Farke’s side are seven points clear of third-place and showing no sign of slowing down, with comeback wins over Sunderland and Sheffield United extending their unbeaten league run to 16 games.
Should promotion be achieved, then 49ers Enterprises will need to invest heavily to avoid the mistakes of previous owners and cement Leeds as a top-flight club. Premier League experience will be key to many new additions and fortunately for Elland Road chiefs, that might come a lot cheaper than many think.
It might even come for free, with a huge number of well-known Premier League names coming towards the end of their contracts across the division, according to Transfermarkt. And below, the YEP has taken a look at 28 possible free agents Leeds could snap up for a massive bargain.
1. Lucasz Fabianski (West Ham)
Fell behind Alphonse Areola in the pecking order at West Ham and his exit was confirmed before last season ended. Plenty of Premier League experience with Arsenal and Swansea, as well as 57 Poland caps. | Getty Images
2. Fraser Forster (Tottenham Hotspur)
Stood in as Spurs' first-choice for several weeks last season because of injuries elsewhere. Has plenty of previous top-flight experience with Southampton. | Getty Images
3. Ben Mee (Brentford)
Signed a one-year deal last summer but struggled with injury and only started two league games. A veteran of lower-level Premier League, most notably as Burnley captain. | Getty Images
4. Takehiro Tomiyasu
Had his Arsenal contract terminated by mutual consent earlier this summer as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
5. Vladimir Coufal (West Ham)
Leeds have been linked with the West Ham summer exit. talkSPORT claimed the Whites and Everton were 'tracking' the 32-year-old, who has vast Premier League experience and a Europa League winners' medal. | Getty Images
6. Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)
One of many to leave Old Trafford this summer as Manchester United continue their cost-cutting exercise. Has over 250 games under his belt for the Red Devils and a fully-fledged Sweden international. Photo: Matthew Peters