Credit: Wolves/YouTube and Imago

Daniel Davis

Tue 21 April 2026 8:10, UK

As Leeds United set about putting Wolves to the sword at Elland Road, the white flag may also have been raised during discussions in the boardroom upstairs.

Boasting an obvious spring in their step after their victory at Manchester United, the Whites brushed aside the Premier League’s basement club on Saturday. In doing so, they all but guaranteed their safety and moved the visitors one step closer to the Championship abyss.

Daniel Farke can now breathe a little easier, knowing that in just a matter of weeks, he has transformed supporter sentiment toward him and led the club to the brink of history.

The win took his side to 39 points, giving them a significant cushion over Nottingham Forest, West Ham and, crucially, 18th-placed Tottenham. It has been a truly significant fortnight for the Yorkshire outfit, which also saw them book their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals.

As a result, Leeds can now turn their attention to the transfer market.

Ladislav Krejci impresses vs Leeds

No club has been relegated from the top-flight after amassing 39 or more points after 33 matches in a 38-game campaign. This effectively guarantees that the Whites are no longer in the mix for the drop, which will, in turn, open up a world of possibilities in the summer.

It was revealed over the weekend that Leeds are targeting Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci, who played 75 minutes against his potential future employers despite being taken off with a neck issue. He delivered a solid enough performance to prove why he is in such demand.

While the result would have been at the forefront of his mind, the 27-year-old will also surely have taken note of the raucous atmosphere that gripped Elland Road. It was a special day for Leeds, who can now look forward to the rest of the campaign with joyful abandon.

First, the basics. Krejci, a Czech Republic international, is on loan at Wolves from LaLiga club Girona, having arrived in the Midlands last summer. He arrived in a deal that could become permanent at the end of the season for £26million, depending on certain clauses.

But with Rob Edwards’ minnows spinning around the Championship plughole, there are renewed doubts over his future. This has opened the door for Leeds to swoop.

According to the Express & Star, the Whites have held talks with intermediaries over a move for the defender. On paper, he would represent a savvy addition to a squad hungry for success, but there are caveats, especially considering Wolves’ woeful form this campaign.

It surely cannot be a coincidence that news of Leeds’ interest broke around the time of their match against Wolves. Perhaps both hierarchies took part in initial talks at Elland Road, or avoided eye contact, knowing full well the saga that could begin this summer.

Unfortunately for Farke, he was not able to take in a complete 90-minute performance. Krejci was guilty of a thumping challenge on Brenden Aaronson, which the midfielder didn’t take kindly to. He then jumped up and pushed his opponent in the back, with Krejci falling down.

When he dusted himself back down, he was holding the back of his head. The conduct looked relatively minor, but he was not able to continue. Judging by his Sofascore statistics before his withdrawal, he stood out in a relatively limp Wolves showing.

Krejci made one tackle, one interception and two clearances, and also blocked one shot. Showcasing his defensive solidarity, he won two ground duels and three in the air. He was just as diligent with the ball, completing 34 of his 42 passes and taking 60 touches.

Over the course of the season, he has made 26 appearances in the Premier League, 25 of which were starts, while scoring two goals and registering an assist.

What does Krejci interest mean for Leeds’ centre-backs?

Leeds already have Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw as Farke’s centre-back options, with the latter duo only arriving last summer. Ethan Ampadu can also play in a back three, while James Justin has been outstanding on the right side as of late.

But having secured their top-flight status for another campaign, the Whites will likely look to add depth across the squad. There has also been interest in Struijk, with the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle said to be eyeing up his signature ahead of the summer.

Krejci, then, would be able to slot into the squad and immediately push to start, especially if Farke persists with his successful three-man backline heading into next season. It is not currently known what price tag Wolves would demand, but it would likely be a hefty amount.

Either way, this is a deal worth pursuing.