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Leeds United will have to invest in their squad if they want to solidify their place in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke has masterminded their return to the top flight after a two-season absence, and now faces the challenge of becoming the first newly promoted side in three years to maintain their Premier League foothold.
To achieve this after securing promotion and then the Championship title on the final day in the closing minutes versus Plymouth Argyle, the club cannot not be anything short of ambitious in the transfer window.
To achieve this, backing Farke in the transfer market is crucial, and already, intriguing targets are emerging, especially with reports indicating Leeds United are ‘expected’ to release a midfielder this summer.
Leonardo Balerdi of Marseille has been linked with a move to Leeds United this summer
Leeds United have made Marseille defender Balerdi one of their top summer transfer targets.
According to The Sun, Leeds are eyeing defensive reinforcements and Balerdi is one of them.
The club’s representatives reportedly went to France to scout the Argentina centre-back and an ‘offer is being prepared.’
Balerdi has spent the last five years at Marseille after arriving from Borussia Dortmund. He has made 161 appearances for the Ligue 1 side and has been a mainstay in Roberto De Zerbi’s side this season.
Marseille will be looking for around £20 million to consider Balerdi, who has three years left on his contract. At this stage of his career, Balerdi might choose a move to the Premier League.
However, the fact Marseille are on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League could impact a possible move. De Zerbi’s men sit third in Ligue 1, and need six points from their remaining three matches – against Lille, Le Havre and Rennes – to secure a place in Europe’s elite club competition.
Leeds United need to aim high for Premier League survival
Leeds simply cannot afford to be timid in their summer transfer dealings.
Relying solely on Championship players who have performed well – a strategy employed by some promoted clubs – is unlikely to be sufficient for long-term Premier League survival.
The club needs to demonstrate real ambition by looking across Europe for impactful signings to rejuvenate the squad and fulfil the aspirations shared by Chairman Paraag Marathe during their promotion parade.
Speaking to LUTV, Marathe declared his ambition to help Leeds become one of Europe’s elite clubs: “This was really hard to do. Two years of getting to this point, but all that hard work and all that difficulty, makes right now that much more rewarding and what makes today so special.
“I hope I never forget this moment. I want to live in this moment as much as I can. This is a journey, this is not the end. We have to keep going, this is what Leeds does.
“We are going to have some difficulties, but we are going to get where we want to go and we are going to be one of the best clubs in all of Europe.”
Having been surprisingly rejected by England for a ‘crazy reason,’ Leeds United ace Ethan Ampadu is now poised to make his mark in the Premier League.
Interestingly, the pursuit of Balerdi, another centre-back, signals a clear intent to strengthen even in areas where Leeds already have seemingly strong options like Joe Rodon and captain Ampadu himself.
Their impressive performances this year haven’t led to complacency, indicating a desire to raise the overall quality of the squad. The club also faces decisions regarding players like Manor Solomon and Junior Firpo, who are out of contract this summer.
Leeds United’s reported interest in Balerdi, and the potential £20 million investment it represents, underscores the significant undertaking that awaits them in the Premier League.