NafisaLeeds United are focusing on Premier League talent this summer with the belief that top-tier experience will provide The Whites the strongest opportunity to avoid the drop next season.
Notably, the previous summer ahead of a Premier League campaign at Leeds saw Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch splash out on players who had never featured in England’s top flight – and the result was relegation.
Paraag Marathe was part of the Leeds hierarchy during that period and it appears he may have taken lessons from those errors. At present, Leeds are being connected with individuals currently plying their trade in the Premier League, or with prior experience at that level.
West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal, Everton forward Beto, Newcastle playmaker Sean Longstaff and several goalkeepers including Caoimhin Kelleher are all among the names Leeds are tracking ahead of the transfer window.
Leeds now eyeing Kelleher’s Liverpool colleague to fix full-back problem:
Another position within Daniel Farke’s roster that looks in need of reinforcement is at full-back. Junior Firpo is heavily tipped for a switch to Betis, while Sam Byram appears unlikely to agree a contract extension.
That potentially leaves Farke with only Jayden Bogle and Isaac Schmidt as established full-back options, while Max Wober has been deployed on the left side in the Championship – but even Wober is anticipated to depart Elland Road this off-season.
As per The Mail, Leeds have included Liverpool left-back and Premier League winner Konstantinos Tsimikas on their transfer radar. The £15m acquisition, reportedly earning £80,000 per week, has been made available by Liverpool.
Konstantinos Tsimikas and Junior Firpo’s Premier League stats:
There are several factors why Leeds may consider moving on from Firpo. His first couple of seasons at Elland Road proved difficult and Firpo might cite injuries and the impact of Covid as mitigating reasons.
However, in the Premier League, there won’t be many opportunities to highlight Firpo’s attacking qualities – primarily in the final third. Leeds will be under pressure defensively more often, and that’s where Firpo’s shortcomings tend to be exposed.
Leeds require a more dependable, seasoned Premier League contributor. Whether Tsimikas can fill that role is uncertain, given the Greek international has mainly served as backup to Andy Robertson throughout his time in English football.
Nafisa
