Leeds United given boost over ambitious summer transfer target

Leeds are striving to make several statement signings this summer after sealing their return to the Premier League via the Championship title

Leeds have been handed an early transfer boost after defensive target Leonardo Balerdi refused to rule out a summer exit from Marseille. The Championship-winning Whites are eyeing a major summer splurge to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Argentina international Balerdi is among those admired at Elland Road but Roma are also interested and crucially, the 26-year-old appears to be open to considering his options in the coming months. First though, he would like to ensure Marseille qualify for the Champions League next season as that was the French club’s primary goal set by Robert De Zerbi at the beginning of the campaign.

He said: “I say it every year: I’m very happy in Marseille, I feel good. I’ve always said I’d like to bring something back here to Marseille and I still have that goal, now, I have to focus on the last match.

“After that, we’ll see about the transfer window but I haven’t looked at the offers. After that, I don’t know.

“I’d like the team to be in the Champions League and then I’ll ask myself about my future.”

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Despite speculation over the future of Farke, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe has already confirmed the German boss will remain in Yorkshire next season. And Marathe is plotting an ambitious summer of transfers as he wants to make Leeds a force on the continental stage once again.

He said earlier this week following promotion back to the top-flight: “I don’t think anyone realised, this wasn’t f****** easy. This was really hard to do.

“Two years of getting to this point, but all that hard work and all that difficulty, makes right now that much more rewarding and what makes today so special.

“I hope I never forget this moment. I want to live in this moment as much as I can. This is a journey, this is not the end. We have to keep going, this is what Leeds does. We are going to have some difficulties, but we are going to get where we want to go and we are going to be one of the best clubs in all of Europe.”

Leeds are expected to sign a new goalkeeper to rival Illan Meslier while there will also be a vast number exits with Patrick Bamford and Josuha Guilavogui among those that are poised to depart Elland Road. Keeping the club’s top stars will also represent a big challenge as in previous years, they have been raided of their most-prized assets.

Spurs are open to selling Leeds loanee Manor Solomon, who struck the decisive goal that fired Farke’s side to the title at Plymouth on the final day, this summer following his heroic spell with the Whites.

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