Sitting top of the Championship, Leeds United are on course to return to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years - should the season get resolved.
Marcelo Bielsa has forged one of the most dynamic, entertaining sides in England, but strengthening will be required to prepare the Argentine’s squad for life in the top flight. So who should they sign to improve their options?
Jean-Kevin Augustin
Club: RB Leipzig (on loan at Leeds United)
Age: 22
Nationality: France
At the time Leeds United’s loan capture of Jean-Kevin Augustin in January was considered something of a coup. The French striker has only made three substitute appearances since joining from RB Leipzig and has largely underwhelmed. Nonetheless, Augustin has been highly rated as a future star since his breakthrough at Paris Saint-Germain.
August has represented France at every youth level and should be persevered with. Three substitute appearances and a total of 49 minutes of game time isn’t enough to make a judgement on the forward.
Leeds United are believed to have an obligation to buy him if they are promoted and he could be a key building block in the Premier League if he gets a full Bielsa pre-season under his belt.
Ryan Fraser
Club: Bournemouth
Age: 26
Nationality: Scotland
Ryan Fraser is a proven performer at Premier League level having spent the last seven years at Bournemouth. The Scotland international was linked with a move to Arsenal last summer after a 2018/19 season which saw him contribute more assists than any other player in the division besides Eden Hazard.
No such move materialised, though, and Fraser will be out of contract at the Vitality Stadium this summer. The 26-year-old will want to stay in the Premier League if Bournemouth suffer relegation. Leeds United could offer him this, although there will be stiff competition for Fraser’s signature. Bielsa could certainly use a player of the Scot’s technical ability and creativity.
Callum McGregor
Club: Celtic
Age: 26
Nationality: Scotland
Scottish talent is often undervalued and that is certainly the case with Callum McGregor. The Celtic midfielder is a Scotland regular and is proven in European football as well, shining for the Hoops in this season’s Europa League. McGregor has previously been linked with a move to Leicester City, where he would be reunited with former manager Brendan Rodgers, and looks ready to make the next step in his career.
McGregor is excellent with the ball at his feet and can play both as a midfield anchor and a number 10 around the edge of the opposition penalty box. Rodgers was a big fan and it’s likely that Bielsa would also be able to put the Celtic man to great use in the Premier League for Leeds United.
Aaron Ramsdale
Club: Bournemouth
Age: 21
Nationality: England
Considered one of the best young goalkeepers in the country, Aaron Ramsdale is attracting a lot of attention with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both linked with a move for the 21-year-old. He is also rumoured to be on Leeds United’s radar and with good reason.
Kiko Casilla has made a number of mistakes this season, leading many to believe Leeds United will need a new goalkeeper if they achieve promotion to the Premier League. The signing of Ramsdale would be a statement of intent and with Bournemouth dicing with relegation it could be entirely feasible to pull off.
Alexander Sorloth
Club: Crystal Palace (on loan at Trabzonspor)
Age: 24
Nationality: Norway
With 25 goals in all competitions for Trabzonspor this season, Alexander Sorloth has certainly proved those who had him down as a flop for Crystal Palace. Indeed, the Norwegian forward has found his groove on loan in Turkey and has even been linked with a move to Manchester United on the back of such impressive form.
It’s possible that Roy Hodgson could give Sorloth another chance at Selhurst Park next season, but Leeds United should test Palace with an offer as they search for a centre forward to challenge Patrick Bamford for a place in the starting lineup.
