Leeds United’s back line is getting a serious makeover this summer. The confirmation that Pascal Struijk is off to Brighton for £20 million is basically done, and Karl Darlow’s free move to Manchester United is expected to be announced any day now. So the club is moving fast.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds has its eye on Sassuolo center-back Tarik Muharemovic as a direct replacement for Struijk. The guy is 22, tall, left-footed, and has been one of the few bright spots in a rough couple of seasons for Sassuolo in Serie B. He’s not a household name yet, but Leeds clearly thinks he fits the profile of a young, developing defender they can build around.
The goalkeeper situation is just as messy
Leeds also needs a new starting goalkeeper. Illan Meslier’s form has been all over the place, and the club seems ready to move on. The targets being mentioned are Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Manchester City’s James Trafford. Suzuki is still raw but has incredible athletic tools. Trafford has been inconsistent on loan but has the pedigree from England’s youth setup. Either move would be a gamble, but the club is clearly looking for a long-term fix between the posts.
Fringe players could be on the way out
Leeds might also cash in on a few depth pieces this summer. There’s no official list yet, but guys who have been on the fringes of the squad could be moved to free up funds and roster spots. The club is also looking for more cover at left wing-back, which suggests they aren’t totally sold on what they have there right now.
So the defensive picture next season is still fuzzy, but the direction is clear: younger, cheaper, and more athletic. If the Muharemovic deal goes through and they land a new keeper, Leeds could look very different at the back by August. But it all depends on which targets actually say yes and which exits get finalized. Expect a lot of movement in the next few weeks.
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