Leeds United have plenty to do this summer in the transfer window, with incomings the priority but sales also expected to be necessary.
The Whites have already seen numerous players being linked with a transfer switch to Leeds, although Leeds United are yet to reveal their retained and released list as of now.
The players are all on their holidays, including many in Las Vegas. However, not all of them will be Leeds players this time next season as the 49ers and Daniel Farke look to upgrade the floor and ceiling of the squad.
The 49ers could green light an overhaul but there are also Leeds players who could be vital in terms of PSR as well. There are many moving parts which will have knock-on effects to each other as the window develops.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesGraham Smyth’s Leeds United transfer window verdict
Graham Smyth expects Patrick Bamford to depart from a Leeds team who will be one of the busiest sides in the Premier League during the window this summer.
Leeds’ financial concerns in the market could mean players are sold that fans are not expecting, which Smyth has since outlined when speaking to Joe Donnohue.
He said: “One of the big things to keep in mind this summer is Leeds probably will need a sale or two.
“Yes, you’ve gone up, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got the headroom to make the expenditure you want.
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“You might need to do some clever wheeling and dealing and some clever accountancy.
“And, when you look at the squad, the players that give you the most headroom are actually some of those where you wouldn’t naturally think, ‘yeah, we’ll ship him on’.
“It’s even players who you think will be good enough. There’s some big decisions to make, for sure. I almost wouldn’t take anything off the table.
“They were pretty ruthless when it came to the Glen Kamara thing. I don’t think he put up a huge struggle to try and stay but he’d only been there a year.
“They saw a chance to turn a profit and to elevate the profile of the midfield, to augment the profile of the midfield with more attacking options, and with more assists and more goals.
“Staying up is the absolute priority. I don’t think sentiment or loyalty or ‘you won us the title’ will particularly come into it. I think even fan favouritism will not even weigh that heavily.
“I think it’ll all entirely be about the money. What the money could mean in terms of spending and replacing.
“There will be an element of ruthlessness and maybe a surprise or two when it comes to it.”
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesThe Leeds United players most at risk of a PSR sale
Smyth cleared up the Junior Firpo situation as well recently, but he is expected to depart by most this summer. It will create more work this summer for the club, but it is absolutely necessary.
Sam Byram and Josuha Guilavogui will almost certainly follow suit in the process, meaning Leeds will have to find squad players as well as first-team starters.
The likes of Rasmus Kristensen, Jack Harrison, and Illan Meslier won’t fill much of a PSR hole, which is why Willy Gnonto, Pascal Struijk, and Mateo Joseph are likely to be at risk in terms of raising funds.
Leeds have to spin plates in terms of squad building and over who should be retained or sold, which highlights the size of the task for Farke and the recruitment team.