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Leeds United have secured a key signing ahead of the club’s Premier League return - leading to big changes in the team’s likely strongest XI and bench.
Having been on the hunt for a new keeper all summer, giant Brazilian stopper Lucas Perri was unveiled as the club’s seventh signing of the summer on Saturday evening, the 27-year-old joining from Lyon for £15.6m.
Leeds now hope to add a huge attacking signing, the club remaining in negotiations with Feyenoord in their bid to sign another Brazilian star in winger Igor Paixio. The Whites also remain on the hunt for a new striker and maintain interest in Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz.
But the arrival of Perri and the continued emergence of a new signing from within has certainly changed the club’s strongest XI and bench again. Here, following the arrival of Perri and six other summer signings, is our idea of the current best starting line-up and nine-men bench.
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7. CM: Anton Stach
As a €20m new signing, the very highly regarded Stach surely goes into the XI and in all likelihood next to Ampadu as one the two more defensive centre midfielders. | LUFC
8. CM: Sean Longstaff
£12m new boy Longstaff is a player that even Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe didn't want to leave which speaks volumes and it would seem likely that Farke wil try and get him in his first choice XI. That said, that would likely mean Ao Tanaka dropping out and Tanaka appeals as the most attacking option of the centre midfielders so it's a hard call, as is leaving out Ilia Gruev. Brenden Aaronson, meanwhile, would likely get the nod in a 4-2-3-1. | Getty Images
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9. RW: Dan James
James has been quiet in pre-season so far but there can't be much doubt that the speedster and last season's player of the year is first choice winger fresh from signing his new deal. | LUFC
10. LW: Willy Gnonto
Another hard one to call as the returning Jack Harrison has feature heavily in the pre-season friendlies thus far. He could well make the XI if he gets back to his best. Then there's Largie Ramazani in the melting pot too. But Gnonto probably gets the call as it stands although it is clear that Leeds are trying to sign another winger with their sights set on the exciting Paixao. | Manchester United via Getty Imag
11. ST: Joel Piroe
Another hard call, even with Bamford no longer in the mix, as free summer signing Lukas Nmecha has featured heavily in pre-season and might emerge as something of a key man surprise package. It could also be that Piroe ends up playing as a no 10. But the Dutchman was last season's top scorer and Championship Golden Boot winner who is probably first choice striker as it stands although getting a big new signing in the position looks a must, hence the Muniz interest. | Getty Images
12. Sub: Karl Darlow
Darlow replaced Ilan Meslier as first choice keeper towards the end of the Championship-winning campaign but it's still quite a hard call as to who would now be 'no 2' behind Perri. It also seems very unlikely that both will stick around, Meslier in particularly the subject of transfer interest. Darlow, though, appears main back up - a role he has previously been used to. Solid option to have. | Andrew Matthews/PA Wire