Leeds United fans have been made to bide their time this summer but transfer business is starting to ramp up following Daniel Farke's arrival at Elland Road. Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Brenden Aaronson have all secured moves away from the club so far this summer and more first-teamers are expected to follow suit.
Leeds are yet to sign off on any incoming players given the wait for the EFL to sign off on 49ers Enterprises' takeover at the club. The Whites are expected to have a major squad overhaul after relegation last time out, with some fresh impetus needed in the current playing squad.
Farke and the proposed new owners at Leeds will be hoping to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking but there's plenty of work to be done before then. The German head coach has built up a stellar reputation in the second tier of English football, handing a number of young players the opportunity to shine during his time with Norwich City.
The club's international contingent are set to return to Thorp Arch to start pre-season training, and Farke will need to make a decision on who stays and who goes, while also deciding on who to bring in for a successful promotion push. LeedsLive has taken a look at what would represent a dream transfer window at Elland Road.
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Incomings
Transfer speculation has been hard to come by in recent weeks, but the appointment of Farke has seen a whole host of players linked with a move to Elland Road. Illan Meslier is expected to leave the club this summer and Newcastle United shot-stopper Karl Darlow and former Magpies man Freddie Woodman have been linked with a move to Leeds.
Both would add plenty of quality at this level, while Joel Robles has also been invited back for training and supporters would be happy to see him return - but there's been no sight of him at Thorp Arch. The Whites had the worst defensive record in the Premier League last season and there are plenty of gaps to fill.
Cody Drameh will battle with Luke Ayling for the right-back slot, while Liverpool's Nat Phillips has been linked with a move to Elland Road where he could partner Max Wober in the heart of defence. The Whites have also been linked with a move for former defender Charlie Taylor to replace Junior Firpo, while former Swansea City defender Ryan Manning - who is out of contract - could also fill the void.
Midfield is the area Leeds need to strengthen the most with Darko Gyabi and Sam Greenwood early contenders in the heart of midfield. Former Bristol City midfielder Han-Noah Massengo is reportedly a name under consideration, with Coventry City's Gus Hamer also said to be on the watch list.
With Aaronson leaving and other senior midfielders expected to depart, central midfield is the main area they need to target as things stand. In an ideal world, keeping the likes of Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto at the club would be an ideal transfer window, but given the young Italian isn't said to have a relegation clause in his contract, keeping him seems more realistic.
The Whites have also been linked with an abundance of attacking midfielders, with one of the Championship's best players last season - Amad Diallo - reportedly a target for Leeds. The Ivorian shone at Sunderland last season and could be sent out on loan again next year.
Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter found goals hard to come by last season, so it makes sense to see Leeds linked with Swansea City forward Joel Piroe. The Dutch striker has now scored 41 goals in two seasons with Swansea and could be an ideal long-term successor.
Outgoings
There will likely be some discrepancy between the dream and the reality when it comes to potential exits. Leeds would like to keep the likes of Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison and Rodrigo at the club this summer, but all three have been linked with moves away from Elland Road.
If Leeds were able to keep Adams at the club, that would be a huge boost in the heart of midfield, while Harrison and Rodrigo would make the Whites one of the most feared sides in the division. Keeping one of the trio seems unlikely given the amount of interest in them.
Farke will need to decide whether or not to sanction a loan for Rasmus Kristensen who has been linked with AS Roma, while returning loanee Helder Costa has surely played his last game for the club. Daniel James is a loanee who could return to first-team action given how highly Farke has rated him in the past.
There remain major question marks over Meslier, Luis Sinisterra and Junior Firpo this summer.
Leeds United starting XI after dream transfer window: Darlow; Drameh, Phillips, Wober, Manning; Gyabi, Hamer, Greenwood; Gnonto, Diallo, Piroe
