Leeds United recruit Sheffield United and Wolves men in £35m swoop and sell trio - AI predicts transfers
The summer ahead will dictate Leeds United’s trajectory for years to come.
A transfer window filled with shrewd business could allow Leeds to survive in the top flight, giving them a solid foundation on which to build a bright future.
The club could then propel themselves forward, meeting the ambitious targets set by the 49ers Enterprises consortium that controls the Whites.
The Premier League is unforgiving and the last two seasons have served as evidence of the growing gap between England’s top two tiers.
Once again, all three of the promoted clubs have been relegated back to the Championship after just one season.
Leeds will need to get their recruitment right to avoid a similar fate - but who will stay and who will go?
Grok AI has been asked to predict the deals that will be done by Leeds this summer - and this is what it came up with.
Incomings
Sam Johnstone (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Daniel Farke’s faith in Illan Meslier eventually ran out last month and Karl Darlow is now preferred between the sticks.
The recruitment of a goalkeeper in the summer appears likely and Leeds have been linked with a large number of them, including Johnstone.
While he may not be among the most glamorous names linked with a move to Elland Road, he is an experienced stopper with impressive pedigree. AI has mooted a fee in the region of £10-15m.
Leif Davis (Ipswich Town)
The defender never managed to become a regular starter at Elland Road and joined Ipswich on a permanent basis in 2022.
Two promotions and a relegation later, Davis’ stock is undoubtedly higher than it was when he left West Yorkshire. A left-back may well be required this summer, particularly if Junior Firpo moves on.
Abdoulaye Sissako (KV Kortrijk)
A former France youth international, the 26-year-old is a central midfielder by trade and plies his trade in the Belgian top flight.
He has never played in England before but AI has predicted Leeds will move to bring him to British shores.
Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United)
Leeds were keen to land the midfielder last summer, only to be rebuffed by their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.
If the Blades miss out on promotion via the play-offs, the lure of Premier League football could prove strong. AI has suggested a fee in the region of £20-25m could be enough.
Jonathan Rowe (Marseille)
Another summer 2024 target, Leeds were reported to hold a strong interest in Rowe before Marseille prised him from Norwich City.
The Ligue 1 club have an obligation to buy the winger in the summer, but he has been afforded just four league starts.
Eddie Nketiah (Crystal Palace)
The second former Leeds player to feature on this prediction list, Nketiah spent the first half of the 2019/20 season on loan at Elland Road from Arsenal.
He found it tough to dislodge Patrick Bamford and eventually returned to North London, although is now employed by Crystal Palace.
It has been a tough campaign for the England-capped marksman, with the 25-year-old having scored just one Premier League goal for the Eagles.
Outgoings
Illan Meslier
He has over 200 appearances for the Whites under his belt and it does not appear likely he would settle for an understudy role next season.
Leeds are reportedly looking at the goalkeeper market, which could pave the way for the Frenchman’s exit after six years at Elland Road.
Junior Firpo
A popular figure in LS11, Firpo has been phenomenal for the Whites in their promotion-winning campaign. However, he did not look as comfortable in the Premier League and is out of contract in the summer.
Sam Byram
Another popular figure set to see his deal expire, Byram has been a useful member of Farke’s squad since his surprise return to Elland Road two years ago.
He has proven he can stay fit, but it remains to be seen whether he will pen a new deal.
Josuha Guilavogui
Continuing with the theme of out-of-contract popular players, the France-capped midfielder has been used to see out games and as a voice in the dressing room this term. It would arguably be a huge surprise to see him put pen to paper on fresh terms.
Max Wober
Injury and stiff competition have limited limited the Austria international to just seven appearances this season.
AI has predicted he will be sold this summer to make way for new additions to the defensive department.
Patrick Bamford
He has been bright in recent substitute appearances but injury has prevented Bamford being a regular for Leeds in recent years.
AI has predicted the 31-year-old’s seven-year association with the Whites will end with a sale this summer.
Joe Rothwell (loan return)
When Leeds signed the cultured midfielder on loan from AFC Bournemouth, there was not a huge amount of excitement among the Elland Road faithful.
He proved doubters wrong and has been a shrewd addition, but is due to return to the Cherries at the end of the season.
Manor Solomon (loan return)
Another loanee who has impressed, the winger’s parent club is Tottenham Hotspur. Reports have indicated Leeds would like to make his move permanent, but it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Israel international.