Leeds United have secured their top-flight status for the 2026/27 season after confirming their Premier League survival under Daniel Farke. Attention will now shift to the summer transfer window as strengthening the existing squad becomes the club's chief concern.
Leeds wrapped up the campaign in 14th place, eight points clear of the relegation zone. The club will aim to build on this foundation heading into the new season, with Farke revealing that preparations for the upcoming window are already well underway.
A new striker, defender and goalkeeper are firmly at the top of the wishlist. Farke outlined his summer intentions following Leeds' final-day defeat to West Ham, confirming that once the club's Premier League status was secured, "we have already started to work."
Here, Mirror Football takes a look at some of the players Leeds have been linked with ahead of the transfer window opening on June 15.
Zaidu Sanusi - Porto
Zaidu Sanusi had the chance to join Leeds during the January transfer window but ultimately chose to stay at Porto. The left-back was presented with the opportunity to test himself in the Premier League, with Wolves also reportedly keen at the time.
Porto manager Francesco Farioli confirmed the development to Portuguese media, insisting that Sanusi would continue to battle for his place. He told O Jogo: "He had a good opportunity to move to the Premier League in January. I had a conversation with him about what he wanted because he didn't have many minutes in the first part of the season. His response was clear. He said he was happy to stay and have a role in the team."
With Sanusi's contract at Porto only running until 2027, Leeds may revive their interest in the 28-year-old. He has made 154 appearances for the Portuguese club, chipping in with eight goals and three assists from full-back.
Shea Charles - Southampton
Leeds will be among numerous Premier League clubs monitoring Shea Charles, who could be set for a transfer this summer. The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign for Southampton, guiding them to the FA Cup semi-finals and the play-offs with several crucial goals.
However, the Saints' 'Spygate' scandal destroyed their hopes of returning to the top flight. This bombshell development saw Southampton stripped of their play-off final place in favour of Middlesbrough and handed a four-point deduction in the Championship next season after the EFL discovered that the club had spied on three opposing teams throughout the campaign.
Several of their star players are now being linked with departures from the club. Charles is among them, and Leeds have maintained a long-standing interest in the midfielder. Farke's side were linked last summer and have now renewed their pursuit. However, they face competition from Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Liverpool as other Premier League clubs chase the £25m-rated player.
Harvey Elliott - Liverpool
One of the costlier names on the list, Harvey Elliott could breathe new life into his career at Elland Road this summer. The Liverpool youngster joined Aston Villa on loan last summer, but the arrangement has proved disappointing for both sides.
The 23-year-old managed just nine appearances for Unai Emery's team, netting once and registering fewer than 300 minutes of action in total. Elliott will head back to Liverpool in the summer with his deal running until 2027, but it is evident he will be seeking consistent first-team football elsewhere.
The Athletic reports that Leeds hold an interest in the young forward, who could leave Anfield for £25m. Football finance expert Stefan Borson believes that the valuation is "worth a go" for Elliott, with £25m "achievable" for a club operating under strict budgetary constraints. He did carry an obligation to buy at Villa for £35m, but only on condition that he reached a specific number of appearances under Emery. This clause was not activated and Liverpool may be minded to cut their losses on the England U21 international to secure him greater playing opportunities elsewhere.
Dmytro Riznyk - Shakhtar Donetsk
A goalkeeper ranks among the priority positions for Leeds, and a three-time league winner could prove one of the finest options available. Dmytro Riznyk has been linked with a switch to Elland Road this summer following impressive displays for Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 27-year-old featured 41 times last season, recording 22 clean sheets and securing the Ukrainian league title by a commanding 12-point margin. Reports from Football Insider suggest that the goalkeeper has caught Leeds' attention following Shakhtar's run to the Conference League semi-finals this season, where they were knocked out by Crystal Palace.
Danilho Doekhi - Union Berlin
A cut-price defender who has impressed in the Bundesliga could prove an excellent addition to Farke's squad. Danilho Doekhi is poised to depart Union Berlin as a free agent and has drawn interest from several clubs in Saudi Arabia and Germany.
Fabrizio Romano revealed in April that Borussia Dortmund had joined Leeds in the race for the centre-back. Doekhi was linked with the Premier League outfit in January, with TeamTalk reporting that the defender was extremely interested in making the switch to Elland Road.
The 27-year-old featured in every single minute for Union Berlin last season, netting seven goals and providing one assist. He is valued at £11m, though his free agent status means Leeds could be poised to snap up a significant bargain in their search for defensive reinforcements.
Haris Tabakovic - TSG Hoffenheim
Leeds will be looking to strengthen their attacking options this summer, with Haris Tabakovic emerging as a serious candidate to join. The TSG Hoffenheim striker, currently on loan at Mönchengladbach, has been linked with a switch to Elland Road after keeping his cards close to his chest regarding his future in Germany.
When reflecting on the prospect of a lengthier stint in the Bundesliga back in April, Tabakovic said: "There are no talks [over a longer-term stay], that's all there is to say. For me, the only thing that matters now is giving everything for the club in the last six games, and then I'm looking forward to the World Cup."
German publication BILD have linked Leeds with a strong interest in the striker, with Farke's connections to the German football scene potentially opening the door to a move this summer. The 31-year-old contributed 18 goals and assists this season while also playing a key role in guiding Bosnia-Herzegovina to a place at the forthcoming World Cup. He is valued at just £2.5m, though a strong showing this summer could push his price considerably higher.
Zan Vipotnik - Swansea City
Zan Vipotnik has turned plenty of heads after delivering an outstanding season at Swansea City. The striker finished as the Championship's leading scorer last campaign, finding the net 23 times in 44 appearances for the Swans.
This remarkable goalscoring form has drawn interest from several clubs, including Leeds, Sporting CP and Benfica. Vipotnik put pen to paper on a new contract in March, committing his future to the Welsh club until 2030 and likely driving his valuation even higher. Transfermarkt places the Slovenia international's worth at just under £13m, though Football Insider reports that Swansea will hold out for a minimum of £15m come the summer.
