Leeds’ appointment of Nick Hammond in an advisory role on Thursday is another step in the right direction as the club look to rebuild following relegation.
The former Reading sporting director and most recently transfers consultant at Newcastle United has arrived on a short-term contract whilst Leeds take their time over a more permanent fixture for director of football.
Hammond will be tasked with assisting the existing recruitment staff – and a new manager, who could be appointed as early as next week – in deciding which players have a future at Elland Road and those who should be moved on.
The transfers team also need to make headway in acquiring new signings for the 2023/24 season which begins on August 5. Previously, players in Germany, Spain and France’s second tiers, as well as some younger individuals in the Netherlands and Belgium, would have been unattainable due to work permit restrictions. Additionally, the Scandinavian market has also opened up with this week’s loosening of the rules.
With the help of leading youth football experts Scouted Football, here are nine players Leeds may now be able to realistically target with the relaxation in work permit rules.
1. Samu Costa: Almeria UD
Samu Costa's Almeria survived relegation by a single point in 2022/23 meaning the club will remain in LaLiga next season. At six-feet tall, Costa is a combative, tackle-heavy, leggy defensive midfielder. He can protect big spaces in front of the defence and shuttles back and forth between both boxes. At 22, he has vast experience for his age which is reflected in his reading of the game - the Portuguese youth international scores high for interceptions, general defensive workload, winning fouls and competing in the air. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce
2. Mika Marmol: FC Andorra
Leeds might not be short of a left-footed central defender at this point, but if they are to sign players for this coming season and potentially beyond, Mika Marmol is a reasonable place to start. Highly-rated among scouting circles and a key player for tiny FC Andorra in Spain's second tier, the club owned by Gerard Pique. He is an ex-Barcelona youth team product and has acclimatised well to regular senior football. Additionally, Marmol has a €3m release clause. (Photo by Martin Silva Cosentino/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Photo: NurPhoto
3. Mohamed Kaba: Valenciennes
Valenciennes' leggy midfield presence Mohamed Kaba is a ball-winning No. 6 or No. 8 who has been deserving of a big transfer for some time. He has contributed goals and assists from the base of midfield, but offers more in the way of defensive work and line-breaking carries with the ball at his feet. With 70 appearances to his name, the 21-year-old is less of a gamble than his age may suggest and has just 12 months remaining on his contract for a side who finished near the foot of the Ligue 2 table last year. (Photo by Anthony Bibard/ FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images) Photo: FEP
4. Alvaro Valles: Las Palmas
Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles will be playing top flight football next season if he remains with the island club, after 34 appearances, 23 goals conceded and 19 clean sheets last season. Standing at 6ft 3in, he is an imposing figure and while some Leeds supporters may have reservations over Spanish goalkeepers, his track record speaks for itself. It is difficult to know what sort of goalkeeper Leeds' new manager will want, whether they prefer a shot-stopper or someone who can play out from the back, therefore a custodian with 37 clean sheets in 95 second tier appearances in Spain is a good place to start, regardless of stylistic preferences. (Photo by Álex Cámara/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Photo: NurPhoto
5. Rassoul Ndiaye: FC Sochaux
Sochaux midfielder Ndiaye (R) is one of Ligue 2's most press-resistant midfielders over the past couple of seasons. That means, he is good at evading pressure, escaping tight spaces with long, leggy movements and can break from deeper midfield positions. At 21 years old with a contract until 2026, he would not be a cheap addition but Leeds expect to recoup a significant sum in player sales this window. He is from the same academy as Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate and Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: SEBASTIEN BOZON
6. Johan Hove: FC Groningen
Norwegian youth international Johan Hove could leave the Netherlands this summer after FC Groningen were relegated from the Eredivisie. The central midfielder is all-action, box-to-box and reportedly has a relegation release clause in his contract. Signed in January from Stromsgodset, Hove is unlikely to have accrued the required 15 points for a work permit under previous rules, but the new relaxation should permit the 22-year-old an England switch. (Photo by JEROEN PUTMANS/ANP/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: JEROEN PUTMANS