With the window officially set to open one week today, clubs will now be finalising their list of targets behind-the-scenes ahead of being able to conduct their business.
It is expected to be a busy summer at Elland Road after failing to win promotion last month, with both plenty of incomings and outgoings likely to be on the horizon.
It will for sure be a whole lot busier than the most recent January window, where Leeds brought in just one new player in Connor Roberts, a lack of activity they may be living to regret.
Celtic now eyeing move for Leeds target Chris Mepham
In hindsight, centre-back was certainly a position Leeds should’ve strengthened during the winter, and in fairness, it wasn’t for the lack of trying.
Pascal Struijk did not play again from Boxing Day onwards due to injury, meaning Ethan Ampadu was unable to play in midfield in all but one game after New Year’s Day.
Leeds made moves to sign a number of central defenders, with Ben Godfrey, Harry Souttar and Chris Mepham among those linked.
A loan offer was even rejected by Bournemouth for the latter and now according to the Daily Mail, Celtic have added him to their list of centre-back targets this summer.
It is said Bournemouth will command a fee of £8 million to sell the 26-year-old, who has just a year left on his deal and has already admitted he needs to be playing regularly.
Leeds should avoid move for Mepham at that price
Mepham could’ve proven a decent stop-gap on loan in January but there is no way Leeds should go anywhere near him at that price this summer.
Leeds are in desperate need of strengthening at centre-back again, with Joe Rodon having returned to Spurs after his loan, Liam Cooper set to leave and Charlie Cresswell unlikely to be happy to settle for a repeat of last season’s game time.
However, if Leeds are to go big and spend that sort of cash on a central defender, it simply has to be on Rodon given how well he played during his loan spell.
Leeds are still trying to ensure he returns to Elland Road this summer and if he does, they should then look towards either the free agent or loan market for a backup.
Chelsea’s Alfie Gilchrist has already been linked and could be useful given he can play both centrally and at right-back.