Is this how the summer transfer window could play out for Leeds United?
Daniel Farke and Leeds United have already experienced a busy summer transfer window.
The Whites have had to make some tough choices after losing to Southampton in the Championship play-off final of the previous season as they attempt to deal with the financial consequences of spending a second consecutive season in the lower division. Archie Grey, an academy graduate, was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £35 million. The Elland Road administration called this decision “heartbreaking.”
He is by no means the only player to have left the club; since the end of the previous campaign, players like Glen Kamara, Charlie Cresswell, Diego Llorente, and Robin Koch have all left. In addition, Joe Rodon, who spent the previous campaign on loan with the Whites, has moved permanently to Elland Road, and Jayden Bogle has moved across Yorkshire from Sheffield United.
We fire up Football Manager 2024 to see how the most popular managerial simulation in the world predicts the next month at Elland Road, but what other business could Farke conduct before the transfer window closes?
Goalkeepers
The real-life signing of Alex Cairns, who moved back to Elland Road from Salford City, was the only move that increased Farke’s goalkeeping options. The sole departure, Kristoffer Klaesson, who signed a free transfer to play for Polish team Rakow, can also be considered a departure.
Farke’s choices for goalkeepers are Meslier, Darlow, and Cairns.
Defenders
There were two new players added to the virtual Whites squad, but there were no departures other than the ones that real Farke has been in charge of over the past six weeks. Both arrived as full-backs: Zeki Celik, a Turkey international, signed a season-long loan from Serie A powerhouse Roma, while Cameron Pring, a competitor in the Championship, signed a £6 million deal with Bristol City.
Struijk, Wober, Rodon, Cooper, Celik, Pring, Byram, and Bogle are among Farke’s defensive options.
Midfielders
Farke spent more than £20 million to expand his options in the middle of the park, adding two striking players to his midfield ranks. First, the Whites manager returned to Serie A to sign Lassana Coulibaly, a star player for Salernitana, for £6 million. Next, Burnley midfielder Sander Berge was acquired for £16 million. One player left, Ilya Gruev, who spent £3 million to join Rangers north of the border.
The midfield choices for Farke are Ampadu, Rothwell, Aaronson, Coulibaly, and Berge.
Forwards
In the last third, there were undoubtedly some significant changes, but it’s probably safe to say that they weren’t what some had anticipated. First, the good news: Farke’s squad has retained Crysenico Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto, who will lead the charge in the effort to return to the Premier League. But Georgino Rutter and Joel Piroe left for Real Mallorca and Wolfsburg, respectively, and have added £43 million to the team’s coffers. Will Lankshear, a young player from Tottenham Hotspur, is the only new player at the top of the pitch. He is a season-long loanee with no chance of a permanent move.
Summerville, Gnonto, James, Bamford, Gelhardt, Joseph, and Lankshear are among Farke’s forward options.
Ins
Joe Rothwell (loan from Bournemouth), Zeki Celik (loan from Roma), Joe Rodon (£8 million from Spurs), Jayden Bogle (£5 million from Sheffield United), Alex Cairns (free from Salford City), Lassana Coulibaly (£6 million from Salernitana), Will Lankshear (loan from Spurs), Sander Berge (£16 million from Burnley), and Cameron Pring (£6 million from Bristol City)
Outs
Archie Grey (£35 million to Spurs), Luis Sinisterra (£18 million to Bournemouth), Glen Kamara (£7 million to Rennes), Marc Roca (£3 million to Real Betis), Diego Llorente (£2 million to Real Betis), Charlie Cresswell (£3 million to Toulouse), Robin Koch (free to Eintracht Frankfurt), Cody Drameh (free to Hull City), Jamie Shackleton (free to Sheffield United), Luke Ayling (free to Middlesbrough), Ian Poveda (free to Sunderland), Sam Greenwood (loan to Preston North End), Darko Gyabi (loan to Plymouth Argyle), Sonny Perkins (loan to Leyton Orient), Ilya Gruev (£4 million to Rangers), Joel Piroe (£6 million to Real Mallorca), Georgino Rutter (£37 million to Wolfsburg)
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