Leeds United made a pleasing, if ultimately unsuccessful, start to life back in the Premier League with a 4-3 defeat at champions Liverpool. The game perhaps showed the strides the club have taken and the talent which is in the side - but also exposed some limitations.
Marcelo Bielsa is keen to keep developing the majority of his squad, but there’s also an intention to strengthen further before the transfer window shuts, bringing in more faces to boost the Elland Road club’s chances of not just survival, but to thrive in the top flight.
Several names have already been linked, but much can happen before the transfer window shuts - not all of it positive.
Here’s a look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for Leeds, as to what might happen in terms of transfers between now and 5 October - plus the domestic extension on 16 October.
Best-case window
The first signing Leeds make in a best-case scenario is easy: Rodrigo de Paul.
They have been heavily linked with the Udinese midfielder, who enjoyed a superb campaign last year, pulling strings in midfield and creating a host of opportunities. The Argentina international is a hugely versatile performer, playing everywhere from wing-back to supporting forward in his career, but he has shown an ability to press, offer non-stop running and be a scheming playmaker from central midfield in Serie A.
Bring him in and Leeds have top-tier quality at the heart of their team.
That would also be the case if Erick Pulgar joined. The Fiorentina maestro has great set-piece delivery, lots of ability in possession and would be cheap at a reported £10 million, though there’s competition for his signature and La Viola aren’t keen to sell.
De Paul would be tremendous, De Paul and Pulgar would be phenomenal business.
In defence, the name who has appeared closest at times is Josko Gvardiol, with the Croatian teenager linked with an £18 million move to Elland Road. There has been speculation he opted to turn down a move and remain in his home country, though there’s clearly a potential angle of club or player seeking better finances in those reports .
Rodrigo de Paul
Either way, Leeds appear keen on a player they can develop in defence, rather than an established starter, and Gvardiol would certainly fit the bill there.
Juan Foyth has been another target regularly linked, but both Fulham and Valencia are also seeming to have made big moves to sign the Spurs man according to recent rumours .
There’s one other important piece of business to note, in attack.
Leeds have no intention of signing Jean-Kevin Augustin, the Leipzig striker who they had on loan last season, and the Bundesliga club have suggested they’re prepared to go to court over the matter as they believe the deal should be honoured.
Unfortunately, the striker has no future at either club, so in a best-case scenario for Leeds, another buyer is found instead.
Worst-case summer
No De Paul, no defensive cover - that would be a pretty poor outcome indeed.
De Paul not arriving wouldn’t be a disaster , as it’s pretty much punching above a newly promoted side’s weight to sign a player of that calibre anyway, but if he’s the absolute No. 1 target for Marcelo Bielsa and his plan for the season, it would certainly be a disappointment.
Furthermore, Leeds’ defensive options already look thin on the ground.
A move to bring back Ben White didn’t pan out and Liam Cooper’s absence on the opening day highlighted the dearth of options in the middle of the back line.
Of course, in the worst-case scenario for everyone involved, Leeds would also still have to shell out for Augustin - and no willing party came to take him, on loan or permanently, before the window shut.
And on top of all that, not getting any of the players and positions filled which he might have made clear were priorities...well, it wouldn’t be the first time Bielsa downed tools and suddenly departed due to broken promises, would it?
