Leeds United had a fantastic 2020-21 Premier League season, finishing 9th on their return to England’s top-flight. Marcelo Bielsa has worked wonders with his group of players since he took charge in 2018.
The second season in the Premier League is always the tricky season for sides promoted from the Championship. The Leeds United fans will have loftier ambitions than a relegation battle and Leeds have made the right moves in the transfer market to move higher than 9th.
How did Leeds United fare in the summer transfer window? Let’s take a look.
Ins
Jack Harrison – £11 million
Jack Harrison has been a tremendous player for the Whites since signing on loan with the club in 2018. After three successive seasons on loan at the club, the 24-year-old was permanently signed by Leeds from Manchester City this summer.
This is a good move by the Whites as Harrison is young, has shown that he belongs in the Premier League, and has the skill to beat players and put in deadly crosses and take shots on goal. A fee of £11 million seems like a bargain for him.
Junior Firpo – £13 million
Not many would’ve expected a Barcelona player to join Leeds, but such is the Catalan club’s financial status that they had to sell whoever they could. Junior Firpo’s move to Leeds was a much-needed one for the Whites as they didn’t have a natural left-back following the departure of Alioski.
Firpo is an attacking full-back who likes to move forward at every opportunity, while he also possesses great strength with and without the ball.
Kristoffer Klaesson – Undisclosed
Leeds has signed yet another young goalkeeper in Kristoffer Klaesson. The 20-year-old has moved from Norwegian club Valerenga and will likely play second fiddle to Illan Meslier.
Dan James – £25 million
The biggest signing for Leeds this summer is that of Dan James from Manchester United. Many will remember that James was close to joining the Whites in the 2019 January transfer window, before Swansea City pulled the plug on the deal.
The signing of James is a fantastic one for Leeds as his energy, speed and work rate suit the Whites’ style of play. His ability to play on either wing is a bonus for Bielsa.
Also read: How Leeds United Might Line Up With Dan James this season
Lewis Bate – Undisclosed
Lewis Bate is a young midfielder with great promise who was signed by Leeds United from Chelsea. The 18-year-old will be a part of the Whites’ U23 set-up and will be allowed to progress to the senior team if he impresses there.
Outs
Helder Costa
The arrival of James resulted in Leeds letting Helder Costa leave, with the Portuguese winger joining Valencia on loan. Costa’s playing time reduced significantly after the arrival of Raphinha last summer.
Kiko Casilla
Kiko Casilla has been loaned out to Spanish club Elche, and it’s unlikely he will play for the club again.
Leeds United Transfer Window Rating – 8/10
Leeds United has had a good transfer window with the signings of Harrison and James, two wide players who can make a huge difference going forward. The signing of Firpo also allows Stuart Dallas to play in midfield, where he excelled last season.
The one worry for Whites fans is the full-back area as they have just three players for both positions – Dallas, Firpo and Luke Ayling. Another full-back could have added some depth to the squad.
Whether or not Leeds United can finish higher than ninth remains to be seen. The Whites have signed some quality players, but teams around them have strengthened as well.
