It has been a busy transfer window for Leeds United, with several key players leaving the club this summer.
Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville have all left the club for high profile transfers, including Glen Kamara, Charlie Cresswell, Diego Llorente, Luis Sinsterra, Marco Roca who have all left for big fees. The Whites are in the midst of an overhaul this summer and there are still various transfer deals that could be completed.
With that in mind, Leeds Live looked at five key things the Whites need to do before the transfer window closes.
Signature of Solomon Manor
Leeds United are closing in on a deal to sign Manor Solomon from Tottenham Hotspur in what would be a statement signing following the departure of big-name players.
The Israel international made just six appearances for the Whites after signing for them on a permanent deal last summer, having impressed on loan at Fulham the year before.
His arrival would boost Daniel Farke’s attacking options after scoring five goals in the first four games of the season. Three of those came in the draw with Portsmouth on the opening day of the Championship at Elland Road.
Instead of Georginia Rutter
The departure of Georginio Rutter rocked Elland Road last week and while his move to Brighton boosted the Elland Road coffers, the club are yet to bring in a replacement.
With eight goals and 16 assists in all competitions last season, his 24 assists is something that urgently needs to be replaced. There may be some hope that Brenden Aaronson can fill that void, as the US international has scored twice in his first three games at the Championship.
Still, Rutter’s ability to link play in the final third and create chances for his Leeds United teammates is something we haven’t seen from Aaronson.
The Whites have money to spend in the transfer market and replacing Rutter should be a priority once they complete the Solomon deal.
Midfield support
Leeds United find themselves in the heart of midfield with few options. Therefore, it is not surprising that they were linked with the Austrian midfielder Dejan Ljubičić.
Reports in Germany suggest that a £3.4m bid from Leeds was rejected earlier this summer, with the Whites expected to have to offer around £5m to land Ljubicic. He would bring a wealth of experience to Elland Road despite only being 26 years old.
He boasts Champions League and European experience, having played 131 times for Rapid Wien in his native Austria before moving to Germany with Köln in 2021. He played in the Bundesliga for three seasons, but could not prevent his team from slipping out of the first division in the last season. .
Decision by Joe Gelhardt
Rutter’s departure could open the door this summer for Joe Gelhardt, who made his Championship debut off the bench in the recent 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Joffy played over an hour in the Carabao Cup defeat to Middlesbrough and his future at the club remains in doubt.
A loan spell at Sunderland in 2022/23 showed he has what it takes to play at Championship level, but the England youth international made just 13 appearances in all competitions for the Whites last season.
Mateo Joseph has leapt ahead of him in the Leeds pecking order, with the Spaniard now Farke’s preferred option for the lead. Gelhardt was linked with a loan move back to Wigan last season, although the move did not materialise.
His contract runs until the summer of 2027 and he needs playing time to develop. Leeds face the decision of cashing him in or sending him out on loan.
Max Wober ask
It was a surprise to see the Austria international return to Elland Road this summer after a year-long loan at Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach. It had been hinted that the former RB Salzburg defender would return to Germany before then, but no move has been made so far.
It was equally surprising to see Farke suggest that Max Wober could play a role in Leeds’ upcoming campaign. The 26-year-old is yet to play in the Championship this season due to injury, but played for over an hour in the aforementioned Carabao Cup defeat to Boro.
He is another who doubts his future at Elland Road. If Leeds could cash in on him this summer it would be a welcome financial boost, as said the Whites are short on options at the back.