Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Thu 30 April 2026 9:10, UK

Leeds United have been linked with a move for Wolves’ Santiago Bueno, but they have bigger transfer priorities to worry about.

As Wolves prepare for next season in the Championship, Leeds are among several sides reportedly tracking the centre-back.

Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Brentford have been credited with interest in the 27-year-old, who still has two years left on his Molineux contract.

The Uruguayan has an undoubted pedigree, but Leeds already have quality options at centre-back in Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Jaka Bijol, and James Justin.

Leeds do need more strength in depth there, but with the 49ers Enterprises warning about the constraints of PSR, they may need to let Bueno go at his price.

Leeds’ defence needs help but not £20m help

Bueno has not disgraced himself for Wolves this season, something that has been evidenced by all this Premier League transfer interest.

While he has impressed in parts, does he really improve Leeds’ starting XI? After all, if the Whites stay up, that is what they need to focus on ahead of next season.

Bueno, arguably, has been one of the few Wolves players to come out with any credit this season, although that could change with the final four fixtures.

But does he dislodge the likes of Struijk, Bijol, or Rodon in Leeds’ backline?

Now, according to Eduardo Burgos of Spanish outlet AS, Wolves have slapped a £21.6m price tag on Bueno, who has a passing accuracy of 87 per cent that rises to 92 in his own half.

The Premier League strugglers are well aware that Girona retain a 20 per cent sell-on fee, after joining in 2023 from the Spanish side, so they will want to maximise their profits.

While Bueno would be a good centre-back option to have, £20m is, arguably, too much. Leeds would be better suited to save that for a number 10, towards another striker, or a better centre-back option.

Indeed, Union Berlin’s Danilho Doekhi could be available for a free transfer this summer, and that would maybe be a better alternative, even though Bueno has Premier League experience.

Leeds cannot afford Wembley hangover

Leeds fans headed to Wembley on Sunday with so much hope and excitement. Their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987, and it seemed like their Premier League status was secured.

Fast forward to the present, and now Leeds are out of the FA Cup after a narrow loss to Chelsea and are looking over their shoulder in the relegation battle.

Big wins for West Ham and Tottenham have meant Leeds supporters cannot relax just yet as the season approaches its final month.

A home victory at Elland Road over already-relegated Burnley is likely to guarantee Leeds’ survival, but a slip-up could throw their season into doubt.

The Whites need to respond with a bang after their Wembley heartache, but Scott Parker will no doubt sense the chance to crash their party.

Once that is done, then the 49ers can get serious with their transfer business.