£30m Beto and top goalkeeper sign: Leeds United's blockbuster new starting line-up if rumours are true

Leeds United have made a strong start to the transfer window after promotion but are not done yet, as Daniel Farke’s side look to strengthen key areas of the pitch ahead of their Premier League return.

Leeds won the Championship title with an outstanding 100-point haul to secure what was, in the end, a comfortable promotion back to the top flight after a two-year absence. The Whites know that survival is the harder task, though, and have hit the transfer market hard with early signings as they look to make their mark with a fast start to the season.

With four signings already secured, the Whites could have at least double that by the end of the window. We decided to have a look at what Leeds’ dream starting XI could look like last season if the latest transfer rumours are to be believed, as the Yorkshire giants look to break the trend and avoid a quick return to the Championship.

New goalkeeper and strong defence

Goalkeeper is viewed as a problem position for Leeds, with Illan Meslier prone to key errors and Karl Darlow unlikely to start at this level. Torino's Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is being primed as a key signing and the Serbian keeper could reportedly cost £19m.

In defence, three new faces have already been brought in by Farke. Left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson became the latest new arrival in a £10m deal from Lille, while centre-backs Sebastian Bornauw and Jaka Bijol have also arrived. Both may not start together, with £15m Bijol likely to get the nod alongside one of Championship double-act Joe Rodon or Pascal Struijk. At right-back, Jayden Bogle is likely to start after a strong debut campaign at Elland Road.

Having strong defensive options is paramount at this level, allowing for formation changes to close out games. Leeds’ early business has given them the best chance of being tighter at the back than they were last time they were in the Premier League.

Midfield improvements could be on the way

Defences can secure victories, but it is strong creativity and a ruthless strike-force which are the difference when turning draws into wins at the other end. Further new faces could arrive in midfield and attack despite Leeds’ attacking prowess in the second tier last season.

Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff is a key target and Leeds have reportedly seen three bids rejected, including a latest of £10m plus £2m in add-ons. Returning with a fourth bid could seal the deal and bring in some valuable Premier League experience into the midfield.

Linked alongside Longstaff has been Hoffenheim midfielder Anton Stach, with the German club reportedly demanding over €20m for the tough-tackling midfielder according to Bild. Ao Tanaka may start alongside the pair in midfield, offering more of a goal threat than Ilia Gruev, though club captain Ethan Ampadu will have something to say and may hope to earn a starting spot in defensive midfield over Stach.

New striker could be the missing piece of Leeds’ puzzle

Daniel James is likely to start on the right-wing and will need to be at his best this season if Leeds are to stay up. Wilfried Gnonto has impressed in the Premier League in the past and may get the chance to do so again on the left, while Jack Harrison may compete with the young Italian for a place in the XI if he remains at Elland Road following the end of his loan at Everton.

In the striker role, Lukas Nmecha has arrived on a free transfer but Farke is likely to favour top scorer Joel Piroe over the German. But a new striker could be brought in to lead the line, in the shape of Everton frontman Beto - who could cost Leeds £30m according to The Mirror but would be a statement buy after scoring eight Premier League goals last term, seven under David Moyes since the turn of the year. The 27-year-old could complete a line-up which Leeds fans will hope has enough to put up a fight and stay up come May.