Leeds’ appointment of Nick Hammond in an advisory role on Thursday is another step in the right direction as the club look to rebuild following relegation.
The former Reading sporting director and most recently transfers consultant at Newcastle United has arrived on a short-term contract whilst Leeds take their time over a more permanent fixture for director of football.
Hammond will be tasked with assisting the existing recruitment staff – and a new manager, who could be appointed as early as next week – in deciding which players have a future at Elland Road and those who should be moved on.
The transfers team also need to make headway in acquiring new signings for the 2023/24 season which begins on August 5. Previously, players in Germany, Spain and France’s second tiers, as well as some younger individuals in the Netherlands and Belgium, would have been unattainable due to work permit restrictions. Additionally, the Scandinavian market has also opened up with this week’s loosening of the rules.
With the help of leading youth football experts Scouted Football, here are nine players Leeds may now be able to realistically target with the relaxation in work permit rules.
7. Manu Fuster: Albacete
Albacete sprung a surprise in LaLiga 2 last season, finishing in sixth place. Left-sided player Manu Fuster (L) pitched in with eight goals and six assists and would hardly cost the earth given Albacete are a relatively low-budget team. At 25, he is a player with potential resale value but performed admirably in Spain's second tier and could be primed for a move to the top flight this summer. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Photo: Angel Martinez
8. Jannik Huth: SC Paderborn
Leeds are very likely going to need two new goalkeepers this summer as Illan Meslier is expected to leave and Joel Robles is set for release. The club are unlikely to go young when searching for Meslier's replacement and Paderborn stopper Huth is sufficiently experienced at 29. He kept 11 clean sheets in 31 games in Germany's second tier last season as Paderborn finished a respectable sixth. (Photo by Thomas F. Starke/Getty Images) Photo: Thomas F. Starke
9. Sonny Kittel: Hamburger SV
Hamburg missed out on automatic promotion by the skin of their teeth on the final day of the 2. Bundesliga season this year, then were denied promotion via the play-off. If Leeds are set to lose the any of Jack Harrison, Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto or Luis Sinisterra this summer, a left-sided attacking player will need to be signed. Kittel averaged a goal or assist every 200-or-so minutes in Germany's second tier last term and finished the season strongly with six goals in Hamburg's last nine games. The 30-year-old is also available on a free transfer this summer. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images) Photo: Sebastian Widmann