NafisaLeeds United have made an impressive start to their summer transfer business, but Daniel Farke and the club’s recruitment team remain aware that there is still plenty of work to complete before the new Premier League campaign gets underway.
The Whites have already strengthened in several important areas, beginning with the free-transfer arrival of Harry Wilson before following that up with a major investment in defence.
Tarik Muharemovic arrived from Sassuolo in a £34million deal, giving Farke another important option at centre-back.
Leeds then went even further in the goalkeeping department, breaking their transfer record to bring James Trafford back to England from Manchester City in a £45million deal.
The England international is expected to take over as Farke’s first-choice goalkeeper, bringing an end to the uncertainty that surrounded the position last season.
Not every target has gone Leeds’ way, however.
The club missed out on Julian Brandt after the Germany international opted to join Ajax instead, while further additions remain under consideration before the transfer window closes.
At the same time, the Whites have another important task on their hands.
The squad needs trimming.
Several players are expected to leave Elland Road this summer as Leeds look to reduce the size of Farke’s squad, generate additional funds and create space for further arrivals.
One of those exits now appears to be extremely close.
Leeds United exit could be completed within 24 hours
Trafford’s arrival solved one of Farke’s biggest problems, but it also created an obvious consequence for another member of the squad.
Lucas Perri’s future at Elland Road has been increasingly uncertain since the England international completed his move to Leeds.
Torino have been working on a deal for the Brazilian goalkeeper for several weeks, with the Serie A side prepared to take him on loan before having the option to make the transfer permanent.
There was some concern that a minor injury suffered by Perri could complicate the move.
However, the situation now appears to have been resolved.
According to Italian broadcaster Sportmediaset, via Tutto Mercato, Perri is scheduled to undergo his medical with Torino on Thursday.
Assuming there are no late complications, the goalkeeper could then begin training with his new teammates on Friday.
The proposed agreement will see Perri join Torino on an initial loan, with the Italian club holding an option to buy him for around £9.4million.
That means Leeds could be on the verge of completing another significant piece of summer transfer business.
And while Perri’s departure may bring an end to a disappointing chapter at Elland Road, the decision is hardly a surprise given what happened last season.
Lucas Perri struggled to convince at Elland Road
When Leeds signed Perri last summer, there was genuine optimism surrounding the Brazilian.
The goalkeeper had impressed during his previous spell at Lyon and arrived with the expectation that he could finally provide the long-term stability Leeds had been searching for between the posts.
Instead, his first season proved considerably more difficult.
Perri’s ability was never seriously questioned, but weaknesses in his game became increasingly noticeable as the campaign progressed.
A number of costly mistakes resulted in dropped points, while Daniel Farke’s confidence in the goalkeeper gradually appeared to diminish.
Eventually, Karl Darlow moved ahead of him in the pecking order and became Farke’s preferred option during the second half of the campaign.
That situation made it increasingly difficult to see how Perri could remain Leeds’ long-term number one.
Some supporters believed the Brazilian deserved another opportunity to settle and develop, particularly given the adjustment involved in moving to English football.
Farke, however, wanted a goalkeeper he could trust immediately as Leeds prepared for the Premier League.
That ultimately led the club towards Trafford.
With the £45million signing now expected to occupy the number-one position, Perri’s route back into the starting XI became extremely difficult.
His proposed move to Torino therefore represents a logical solution for everyone involved.
Leeds can free up space and potentially bring in a further fee, while Perri gets the opportunity to rebuild his career in Serie A.
For Farke, meanwhile, another important decision appears close to being resolved.
And with the Premier League season approaching, the Leeds boss will be hoping the outgoing business can progress just as quickly as the club’s recruitment.
Nafisa
