Leeds United are into their fourth summer transfer window under 49ers Enterprises and things have got off to a promising start. The Whites have already secured free agent winger Harry Wilson, following his Fulham exit, while centre-back Tarik Muharemovic is in West Yorkshire putting the final touches on his £34million move from Sassuolo.
It’s an impressive start from Leeds recruitment chiefs who, particularly with the success of last season’s 14th-place Premier League finish fresh in the memory, are building some real credit. In three full windows under 49ers the success-rate of new signings has been high - but it’s not been perfect.
It would be almost impossible to nail every transfer decision but while there have been some disappointing transfers, others have shone massively. Below, the YEP rates all 30 permanent or loan arrivals over the past three-and-a-bit summer windows with one Elland Road favourite getting a fabled 10/10.
1. Lucas Perri - 5/10
Leeds committed £16m on Perri last summer but the Brazilian struggled and was eventually dropped. It's hard to see him becoming first-choice any time soon and reports from Italy suggest talks have behind for a loan move to Torino. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
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2. Karl Darlow - 8/10
Joined for a bargain £400,000 in July 2023 and twice came in for under-performing teammates, first replacing Illan Meslier during the Championship promotion race before usurping Lucas Perri last season. Provided stability on both occasions and Leeds wanted him to stay longer, but a move to Old Trafford was confirmed on Tuesday. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
3. Alex Cairns - 5/10
Hard to go higher given he hasn't played a competitive game since joining from League Two Salford City in 2024. But also difficult to go too low as it's clear how much Daniel Farke values his presence in the squad. There's no doubt the positive impact he'll have had since returning to West Yorkshire. | LUFC
4. Djed Spence - 3/10
Spence's loan move from Tottenham in 2023 was met with huge excitement but his time at Elland Road simply never got going. The full-back only played seven games before Leeds exercised their option to terminate his stay the following January. Has since enjoyed a bit of a revival in North London, evidence the quality is there. | Getty Images
5. Connor Roberts - 4/10
Roberts effectively replaced Spence in January 2024 but found himself fighting for minutes with Archie Gray, whose outstanding breakout campaign showed no sign of slowing. Roberts only started two Championship games and was sidelined with injury a little too often for anybody's liking. Remained a good squad member throughout, however. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
6. Jayden Bogle - 9/10
A shaky start raised some questions but Bogle has answered them emphatically, both in the Championship and Premier League. The right-back was excellent last season and thrived in a wing-back role, making a mockery of his £5m price-tag. | Getty Images