The £8m star wants to join Leeds after Wilson

After securing Premier League survival last season, Leeds United’s instructions this summer are clear – add quality over quantity to the first-team squad.

Daniel Farke’s men have shown that they are capable of upsetting the big teams in the division, but now they will be up against them on a regular basis.

A push into European football must be a goal ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with the latest transfer links highlighting the caliber of player the 49ers are targeting this window.

The likes of Ousmane Diomande and Loïs Openda have both been tipped for a move to Elland Road – two players who have featured in the Champions League in recent seasons.

The Whites also appear to have agreed a deal for the free transfer signing of Fulham star Harry Wilson, 29, who will join the growing Welsh side in Yorkshire.

Wilson’s imminent arrival could be the start of things, however, as the recruiting campaign appears to be in full swing, with several other proven talents popping up on the radar over the past few days.

Leeds are preparing an £8m bid to sign the talent this summer

In a bid to strengthen various areas at the top level, Leeds have recently put together deals for a number of players – including Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.

Farke’s men have already had a £20m offer rejected for the 22-year-old, who made 31 appearances last campaign in England’s second tier.

Their efforts do not seem to have been successful in recent days, but it is reported that a new gift for this boy is expected to be presented in the coming weeks.

However, Charles is not the only player who could be subject to a new offer, as Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi has also appeared on their radar.

According to a report by Football Insider, Leeds is said to be preparing to sign the 29-year-old player, who is representing Switzerland in the ongoing World Cup.

The report claims that the player himself would be open to a move to Yorkshire this summer after playing under Farke during his time in charge of the Bundesliga side.

Other outlets have also confirmed the Whites’ interest in the full-back, leading to an £8m bid to secure his services this summer.

Why Elvedi will be a better signing than Leeds’ Charles

The reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs in midfielder Charles no doubt highlights that he is a player capable of rising through the ranks.

Despite playing in the second division last season, he gained valuable experience against many of England’s top flight teams during the Saints’ FA Cup run.

The Northern Ireland international scored the winner against eventual Premier League champions Arsenal, after which he highlighted his overall quality despite his defensive role.

However, after a £20m offer was rejected in recent days, it is now unclear how much Tonder Ekert’s club would want to offload the 22-year-old star.

Although he would provide a youthful option in the midfield department, Elvedi’s move would undoubtedly be a major coup for Farke and Leeds this window.

The Swiss international has been a consistent fixture for the country in recent years – after which he won 69 caps for his country.

He also spent the last 11 years in the Bundesliga, during which he made 22 appearances in European competitions – highlighting his ability to play at the highest level consistently.

Such quality is what is needed at Elland Road this summer, especially if the Whites are to build on 2025/26 and reach the next level under Farke’s guidance.

His switch to a back three in the latest campaign has seen the likes of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk flourish – but significant strength in depth is sorely needed.

Elvedi, called “world class” by former coach Eugen Polanski, was ranked in the top 14% of Europe’s best defenders in the last 90-man defense campaign.

His opening figures of 8.2 points per 90 were also the highest of any player in Leeds’ top flight – and put him in the top 10% of players in Germany’s top flight.

Even playing football, the 29-year-old showed his ability to play everywhere, after completing 92% of his passes with 2.8 long balls in attacking areas.

The latest interest in Charles highlights Leeds’ ambitions to invest in young talent who can flourish in Yorkshire and become a cornerstone for years to come.

However, Elvedi’s deal will provide the club with the talent needed to make an immediate impact at Elland Road and take the club forward in 2026/27.

£8m for a player of his caliber and experience would be a staggering amount of business and could go down as one of England’s summer signings.