(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media, Imago)

Jacob Raw

Thu 30 April 2026 11:10, UK

The 49ers are planning to conduct the bulk of Leeds United‘s transfer window closer to the start of the 2026-27 season, according to Daniel Farke.

With Premier League survival in sight, the Whites have a major opportunity this summer to capitalise and drive forward to become a club that fights in Europe once more.

This will be the period that most likely makes or breaks the ambition of the 49ers, as there is potential for Leeds to stagnate like Fulham or Wolves have in recent seasons.

Farke wants a new striker, centre-back, and maybe even a new goalkeeper in the upcoming window, and business will be crucial.

However, Farke has exposed the 49ers’ summer plans unintentionally with this reveal, and it will give Leeds fans unwanted flashbacks.

What has Daniel Farke said about the summer window?

Leeds are being linked with centre-backs this week, with the position always a hard one to scout and be successful in.

While some will have their opinions on the last summer window, it’s clear that the 49ers had some great signings, but they could have had more.

As highlighted by Adam Pope on X this Wednesday, Farke has revealed that the main part of Leeds’ summer business will be done after the World Cup, closer to the start of the next campaign.

The German head coach has suggested that wrapping up Premier League safety early would have little to no effect on planning for the window ahead. How bizarre is that?

Surely in the final few games of the season with nothing to play for, your focus would be on next season, whether that be giving players a final chance, or what areas need to be improved.

Not only that, but the elephant in the room is, why are the 49ers not focused on getting transfers done early? Have we not learned from the past?

Leeds already falling behind on targets

You could have called Leeds “Interested FC” last summer with the amount of players the Whites were linked with but failed to get.

There’s great irony in how two of Leeds best value signings last summer were both free agents in Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and the pair weren’t exactly difficult to land.

Leeds already look set to miss out on Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, as Coventry City are wasting no time in securing the shot-stopper’s permanent stay at the CBS Arena.

The World Cup is an understandable barrier to land some players who will be representing their country, but there are still players who could be signed before the competition.

Look at Harry Wilson, who is set to leave Fulham for free, for example. Everyone knows he’s leaving, so why not get the deal done?

Funny enough, he looks likely to join Aston Villa now. Great start, Paraag Marathe and Co., well done.