Leeds squad audit: Playmaker wanted and a dilemma over Struijk

Leeds United are going into another crucial transfer window with the lessons of yesteryear at the forefront of their minds. In 2021, after Marcelo Bielsa guided the club to ninth in the Premier League, only two additions were made to the squad.

Daniel James and Junior Firpo were added to a unit that had run itself into the ground after three years of gut-busting brilliance under the Argentinian. It was stretched too far, leading to Bielsa’s sacking and the club surviving relegation by the skin of its teeth in 2022.

While chairman Paraag Marathe was not in charge five years ago, he was on the board and saw first-hand how damaging that summer’s business proved to be. Now, with a similarly encouraging 14th-place finish behind Daniel Farke’s team, tough decisions are needed on how it is retooled for 2026-27.

With that in mind, The Athletic has carried out an audit of the first-team squad. This factors in the various loan deals that will have concluded by June 30 and those players returning to their parent clubs.

---

Goalkeepers

Karl Darlow

Age: 35
Contract expires: Summer 2026

For the second season in a row, Darlow began as a backup and ended as Farke’s first choice. Club sources, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, have intimated the wider goalkeeping picture is uncertain.

Whether Darlow continues as No 1 or reverts to a reserve role, putting a new contract in front of him is the priority. His ambitions will be central to what happens next.

Farke is direct and honest with players over contracts and playing expectations. Darlow will not be left in the dark about what to expect if he does sign a new contract and if that is as a backup, he would be forgiven for considering alternative options.

The hope has to be he stays at the club and backs himself to prove he is the best stopper. His form at the end of last season has given the top brass so much to think about.

Lucas Perri

Age: 28
Contract expires: 2029

Evidently did not have the debut campaign he was hoping for after he arrived from Lyon for £13.9million ($18.7m), but his FA Cup performances have shown there is potential. With three years on his contract, the club has time to decide what to do with the Brazilian.

It feels like any number of scenarios could play out before the end of the window, whether that’s asking him to compete with Darlow, a loan away to reset or a permanent move that cuts United’s losses. It would be a risk to start him as the undisputed No 1 next season without any competition.

Illan Meslier

Age: 26
Contract expires: Summer 2026

Will leave the club at the end of this month, with 215 Leeds appearances to his name after seven years. A sad ending, but his career badly needs a kickstart.

Alex Cairns

Age: 33
Contract expires: Summer 2026

Sources close to Cairns are optimistic about his chances of staying. As a popular, homegrown, third-choice goalkeeper, retaining him is a no-brainer.

---

Central defenders

Joe Rodon

Age: 28
Contract expires: 2028

Went from strength to strength last season. One of many players to prosper in a back-three system. His ability to play high and wide as a makeshift right-back worked well. Contract talks are expected on his next deal within the next 12 months.

Jaka Bijol

Age: 27
Contract expires: 2030

Had to wait for his chance after arriving from Udinese last summer for £15million, but proved to be a mainstay in the middle of defence when fit. One of many successful summer signings and should become a cornerstone of the medium-term future.

Pascal Struijk

Age: 26
Contract expires: 2027

Could prove to be the highest-profile departure of the summer. Leeds are keen to retain the Dutchman, but with one year remaining on his contract, the club know they have to sell him if he does not negotiate fresh terms.

As one of those players on the books who could generate profit on the accounts, he cannot be allowed to walk away on a free transfer in 2027. Interest was rebuffed last summer and there will only be more vultures circling after another season of Premier League football under his belt.

Following eight years and two Championship titles, Struijk might understandably feel ready for the next chapter.

Sebastiaan Bornauw

Age: 27
Contract expires: 2029

Did not get too many opportunities to catch the eye, but when he did play, he was a solid backup option following his arrival from his Wolfsburg for £5m.

If suitors dangle more regular minutes in front of him, conversations might be held, but he seems like a straightforward hold as depth in a department the club wants to grow, not shrink.

Max Wober

Age: 28
Contract expires: 2027

As much as Leeds are keen to increase their defensive options, Wober looks highly unlikely to be one of their solutions. The Austrian endured a torrid time with injury on loan at Werder Bremen last season and failed to produce anything that convinces United they should give him another go.

---

Right wing-backs

Jayden Bogle

Age: 25
Contract expires: 2028

A touch more inconsistent than some of the players who stayed with Leeds after promotion, but, broadly, Bogle was superb. As a wing-back, he was unleashed and proved a real asset outlet down the right flank.

Did nothing to suggest Leeds need to prioritise someone new in his position. Will have to repeat his form, if not improve on it, and if he does, Leeds may need to fend off interest with a contract.

James Justin

Age: 28
Contract expires: 2029

One of the revelations of last season and, arguably, unfortunate to be listed as Bogle’s cover here. Justin has almost been a victim of his versatility. He can play across the back five, but has established options ahead of him in each of those roles. An obvious piece in next season’s puzzle.

Isaac Schmidt

Age: 26
Contract expires: 2028

Had a touch more joy than Wober on loan at Bremen, but he did not light the Bundesliga up in the way he would have needed to have any chance of forcing his way back in at Leeds. Another exit awaits.

---

Left wing-backs

Gabriel Gudmundsson

Age: 27
Contract expires: 2029

One of the Premier League’s signings of the summer at £10m from Lille. If Gudmundsson can repeat last season’s form and add a few more goals and assists, Leeds are going to face interest from other clubs.

Jack Harrison

Age: 29
Contract expires: 2028

Scored one goal and created three more in 15 outings for Fiorentina after he joined them on loan in January, but the indications are he is, once again, bound for Leeds to start pre-season. It will be another case of judging the interest in his services.

Sam Byram

Age: 32
Contract expires: Summer 2026

Will wave goodbye to Leeds for a second time this summer, bringing the curtain down on what has been a better spell than many would have imagined. Arrived in 2023 with an injury-ravaged career hanging by a thread, but leaves with performances more than worthy of a decent deal at a Championship club.

---

Central midfielders

Ethan Ampadu

Age: 25
Contract expires: 2027 (one-year club option)

The heart of the team and fans will hope he is the owner of a new contract before long. Leeds have no interest in selling their captain to fund further purchases and will hope nobody comes asking questions about Ampadu’s availability.

Anton Stach

Age: 27
Contract expires: 2029

Had he missed a little less time through injury, Stach may have pushed Ampadu close for the end-of-season awards. The German had a brilliant first season after signing from Hoffenheim for £17.4m and will hope to kick on again next season. Farke has used him as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder — and he has never let his manager down.

Ao Tanaka

Age: 27
Contract expires: 2028

Started the last nine matches of the season, but without that run, Tanaka’s future would have been uncertain. Leeds are happy with their midfield cohort and the Japan international, who will be at the World Cup, is a part of that.

Significant offers may test United’s resolve, given how little Tanaka played for long periods of last season, but they are not looking to move him on.

Sean Longstaff

Age: 28
Contract expires: 2029

Arrived a year ago from Newcastle United and was a good performer through an autumn of mixed results for Leeds, but unfortunately suffered an injury right before the formation and form transformed in late November. Found it difficult to break into a high-performing team and played far less than he would have hoped.

However, Longstaff could easily prove to be one of the team’s key players next season if he has a good summer and starts well in August.

Ilia Gruev

Age: 26
Contract expires: 2027

Farke appreciates his reliability, he is a popular member of the dressing room and the board finds him cost-effective.

Gruev has been in and out of the starting line-up since arriving in 2023, but he’s never caused any trouble and it will be fascinating to see what the club does with him — will there be a new contract this summer?

Charlie Crew

Age: 19
Contract expires: 2028

Never cemented himself at Doncaster Rovers on loan in League One, before returning early to Leeds before that agreement was due to end. Will start pre-season at Thorp Arch, but he is expected to find a move away before the window closes

---

Attacking midfielders

Noah Okafor

Age: 26
Contract expires: 2029

Played more league minutes last season than in any other campaign in his career after signing from Milan. And yet, injuries were not entirely kept at bay. Next term’s target will be to improve on 19 league starts. Could face sterner competition for minutes if Leeds recruit in the final third.

Brenden Aaronson

Age: 25
Contract expires: 2027

One of the more fascinating case studies in this squad. Seventy-three league starts over the past two seasons under Farke underline his durability, but also the manager’s faith.

Aaronson’s double at Newcastle United in January was the high point of his time at Leeds and the quality of his finishing that night illustrated his potential — but on the whole, it has been another season of frustrating output.

A good World Cup with the United States may trigger interest in his services, but if Leeds don’t receive any offers, a new deal may be needed to ensure he does not walk on a free transfer next year. Has he been good enough to justify fresh terms? It’s a huge decision.

Daniel James

Age: 28
Contract expires: 2029

Injuries ruined his chances of carrying 2024-25’s momentum into the top flight. Doesn’t feel like a natural fit in the 3-4-2-1 Farke settled on at the end of last term, but James has time to prove himself with an uninterrupted pre-season.

It does not seem like there is quite the market to test United’s resolve, either.

Wilfried Gnonto

Age: 22
Contract expires: 2028

There has been interest in Gnonto every summer since he arrived in West Yorkshire. This year, though, might be the one Leeds finally relent.

The winger only got four league starts last season and if the squad improves as Leeds want it to in the final third, it seems unlikely Gnonto is about to feature more regularly. With two years on his contract, Leeds can still push for a good deal on the Italian, knowing how great his potential is, even if he isn’t going to realise it at Elland Road.

Largie Ramazani

Age: 25
Contract expires: 2028

Struggled for starts at the beginning and end of the season on loan at Valencia, but found rhythm in the middle, going on a run of scoring six goals in 12 Liga games. As with a few others in the squad, if Leeds want to improve their group, it’s hard to see what’s going to change Farke’s mind on a player like Ramazani.

There will be interest in the Belgian because of his flair and ability to beat a man.

Joe Gelhardt

Age: 24
Contract expires: 2027

Exactly the kind of loan spell he would have hoped for at Hull City. Gelhardt was in the mix for the Championship’s Golden Boot before injuries knocked him off his stride in early December.

Hull’s promotion to the Premier League and Gelhardt’s success there would suggest a deal can be done, but Leeds will see who else likes the forward and what they may be willing to pay. Hard to see a route back for Gelhardt at Leeds, but certainly someone they can sell for a decent fee.

Sam Chambers

Age: 18
Contract expires: 2028

Predictably found it hard to force his way into a Premier League squad at 18. A loan seems the ideal solution for him.

---

Forwards

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Age: 29
Contract expires: 2028

Proved all of his doubters wrong and will surely relish sterner competition for minutes, if Leeds add another striker. Do not rule out a two-man partnership in that scenario either.

Calvert-Lewin will hope to benefit from an even better supply line if Farke finds the playmaker he wants.

Lukas Nmecha

Age: 27
Contract expires: 2027

Another of last summer’s arrivals who surpassed expectations, to the extent his future is up for debate after one season. Leeds protected themselves with a two-year deal for a free agent who has struggled with injuries in recent times, but in being so effective, Nmecha has put himself in a strong position.

Hard to predict what his situation might be at the end of the window. He could have a new deal, Leeds could risk losing him for nothing next summer, or he could be sold.

Joel Piroe

Age: 26
Contract expires: 2027

His Championship goal record will ensure there are plenty of clubs, home and abroad, circling for Piroe. He has little chance of significant minutes at Leeds and the club would surely be best served by securing the best deal they can.

Harry Gray

Age: 17
Contract expires: 2028

Scored three goals in 20 League One appearances on loan at a poor Rotherham United team who were relegated from League One. Another loan away seems like the best course of action next season, but he and Leeds will need convincing he will play regularly, wherever that is.

Mateo Joseph

Age: 22
Contract expires: 2028

Farke said Joseph refused to join the pre-season training camp last summer, amid the player’s desire to leave Leeds. He eventually got a loan to Real Mallorca, but he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee before the end of the season.