Daniel Farke provides Leeds United transfer update ahead of Middlesbrough clash
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has provided a fresh transfer update during his latest pre-match press conference.
Farke spoke to the media ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against Middlesbrough at Elland Road on Wednesday [14 August].
The 47-year-old answered questions on his side’s transfer activity and while he revealed no imminent updates, he insisted Leeds have to be in the driving seat of a potential deal to add quality to his squad.
He said: “Yes, I’m totally calm, and no panic at all because we have a really good group because we have a really good basement to work.
“We know we can’t afford to spend a fortune on new players and the good thing is we don’t just need some numbers, we need some quality, so just players who will make our group even stronger and for that we have to go carefully we have spirited group, a close group, new signings have to tick our boxes, so needs to have proper quality.
“[The player] needs to be there with top mentality, personality and has to be also an affordable deal and a deal where we are in the driving seat even if a loan deal.
“Many boxes have to be ticked. Sometimes, when you can’t spend a fortune, you have to be a bit more patient.
“I have total trust in our key people, in our owners, behind the scenes we’re working a lot on it, so can’t confirm anything right now. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks. We’re in good talks and we’ll see what happens.”
Leeds United are looking to add “proper quality” to the squad
Farke is under pressure to strengthen his side ahead of the August 30 deadline after the disappointing 3-3 draw against Portsmouth on the opening day of the 2024/25 Championship season.
The result added to the anxiety among the supporters as the Whites began another campaign in the second tier without Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville, who departed Elland Road this summer.
Leeds are the favourites to win the title this season [Opta Analyst] following their play-off final defeat to Southampton last term, and the expectations will wear heavy on the squad throughout a gruelling season.
The Whites will be active in the final weeks of the transfer window and have identified Norwich City winger Jonathan Rowe [Mike McGrath] as their Summerville replacement. There is still hope that the deal will get over the line despite pressure from Ligue 1 side Marseille.
It will take more than one signing to replace the 20 goals and nine assists accumulated by last season’s Championship Player of the Year, but supporters can rest assured that the club is working hard on bringing in quality recruits for the squad.
Leeds still have one of the strongest squads in the Championship, brimming with Premier League experience with several players still around from the 2022/23 relegated side that will help challenge for the title this season.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are set to sign Bashir Humphreys after Chelsea transfer developments.
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