The dream signings Leeds United could make with '£150m transfer budget' - including Newcastle & Arsenal gems
Looking at how Leeds United might spend their transfer budget this summer as they prepare for the Premier League.
Leeds United may have won the Championship title and made their way back to the top flight, but the powers that be at Elland Road seem only too aware that the hard work has barely begun – and the business that they do in the summer transfer window will be essential if they are to survive in the Premier League next season.
The last six freshly-promoted sides have all been relegated right back down to the second tier and the gap between the divisions is only getting wider. That, perhaps, is why reports suggest that Leeds’ owners are preparing for a major summer of spending, with a transfer budget which could run as high as £150m.
Of course, as Ipswich Town have only just demonstrated, spending in volume doesn’t guarantee a club’s survival – Leeds will need to spend smart, too. But who will they buy? We’ve been tracking the transfer rumours and gossip columns and pulled together some of the more plausible and persistent transfer stories to look at eight players Leeds may well splash their cash on this summer. But will they be enough?
Strikers among priorities - along with returning favourite
Beto – Everton (£26m) Leeds are determined to sign at least one centre-forward this summer, and Everton striker Beto, who has scored seven Premier League goals this season, has come up in reports from Sky Sports News and others. Everton are planning a squad overhaul and would want to at least break even on an inconsistent striker who cost just under £26m two years ago, while Leeds could gamble on the upside we’ve seen when he hits his best form.
Manor Solomon – Tottenham Hotspur (£20m) Given his heroics over the course of the 2024/25 campaign – not least on the final day of the season – it seems all but certain that Leeds will try to negotiate a permanent deal for the Israeli winger, who didn’t really get a chance to shine with Spurs. A report from Football League World suggests that they want around £20m for him, but alleged interest from Marseille may complicate matters.
Troy Parrott – AZ Alkmaar (£21m) Long touted as the next big thing in Irish football, the 23-year-old Dubliner has finally blossomed in the Eredivise, scoring 14 goals in 28 games for AZ this season. Reports suggest that the Dutch club will part ways with him for a fee of up to £21m, with Leeds widely alleged to be interested in a forward who still has potential for further growth.
Whether they sign Beto, Parrott or another forward, the club have also been linked with budget-friendly options such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin or even Jamie Vardy, who would both be available on a free transfer. It sounds as though Joel Piröe should get some competition for starts, at least – as would several other players in the current squad.
Defensive upgrades another summer priority for Leeds
Dennis Cirkin – Sunderland (£15m) Stories connecting Leeds with a move for the Sunderland and England Under-21 left-back has quietened down since March, but much will hinge on whether the Black Cats follow Leeds up via the play-offs. If they don’t, Cirkin could be available for around £15m, and could fill the void left by Junior Firpo’s potential departure on a free transfer.
Leonardo Balerdi – Marseille (£20m) As impressive as Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have been, it also looks as though Leeds are determined to find upgrades at centre-back as well, and The Sun have reported that £20m-rated Marseille man Balerdi is on the club’s radar. An excellent technical defender with a big aerial presence, he’s a fine all-round player who should thrive in the Premier League. Perhaps more reputable outlets will add their voices to the reports, but this is a tantalising possibility at what seems like a very competitive price.
Aaron Ramsdale – Arsenal (£25m) Quite a few goalkeepers have been linked with a switch to Elland Road following an error-strewn campaign by Illan Meslier, and it looks like a new shot stopper is another important priority. Ramsdale is among the top flight’s best shot stoppers and relegation on loan with a doomed Southampton side shouldn’t hurt his stock too much. Arsenal supposedly want around £25m for the England international.
Sean Longstaff – Newcastle United (£10m) A combative central midfielder is also near the top of Leeds’ summer wish list, and as well as being linked with a suitably romantic loan move for former midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Leeds have also been connected with Sean Longstaff, whose Newcastle future is in doubt with a year left on his contract. £10m has been mooted as a starting price point for a player who seems keen to get some more first-team minutes under his belt.
Georgios Vagiannidis – Panathinaikos (£8m) Everton are also said to be monitoring Greek right-back Vagiannidis, who has impressed in his home country and previously had a brief spell as a teenager with Inter Milan. Apparently he would set a side back something in the region of £6-8m, and while not a priority purchase would offer stiff competition for Jayden Bogle. Land all of the above players and Leeds will have spent £145m on new recruits. We may soon find out whether that would be enough.