Leeds United and Southampton will shop in quite different markets this summer.
After defeating Leeds in the Championship play-off final last month, Southampton will now have additional spending power as they seek to develop a squad capable of remaining in the Premier League.
Leeds, on the other hand, will need to be considerably more strategic in their recruitment in order to remain compliant with PSR, however Paraag Marathe has stated that monies will be available to spend.
The Whites will be able to start signing players officially today, but work has already begun behind the scenes.
Brenden Aaronson has already spoken with Daniel Farke and decided to return to Elland Road next season, which should be obvious evidence of that.
As a result, there was a lot of overlap in who the two sides were targeting last summer, with Joel Piroe, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Max Aarons among those associated with both.
The Whites will be able to start signing players officially today, but work has already begun behind the scenes.
Brenden Aaronson has already spoken with Daniel Farke and decided to return to Elland Road next season, which should be obvious evidence of that.
Leeds should move for former Southampton target Nathan Wood.
Leeds and Southampton were in a similar position a year ago, looking for a new manager following relegation.
As a result, there was a lot of overlap in who the two sides were targeting last summer, with Joel Piroe, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Max Aarons among those associated with both.
Southampton did want Swansea City defender Nathan Wood, who previously worked with Russell Martin in South Wales, but he did not appear to be on Leeds’ radar.
According to Wales Online, Southampton had a £10 million offer rejected by the Swans for Wood a year ago and are expecting more proposals.
This time, however, Wood has only a year left on his contract and has showed no signs of agreeing to an extension, so he may depart.
With Joe Rodon’s recovery unknown, Liam Cooper out of contract, and Charlie Cresswell looking elsewhere, Farke will prioritize the acquisition of new central defenders.
If Rodon cannot be signed, Wood would be an excellent replacement, and given his contract status, he will undoubtedly be available for less than $8 million.
Wood made 26 appearances for Swansea last season and, at only 22, has lots of room for growth.
According to FBRef, Wood is in the same mold as Pascal Struijk, and if they can deploy two defenders of that caliber together next season, they should have a solid platform for another promotion drive.
How likely is it that Joe Rodon returns to Leeds?
Rodon, of course, remains Leeds’ top centre-back target at this point in the summer following his successful loan spell from Tottenham.
However, given the potential financial implications and Premier League interest, Leeds will find it difficult to secure a permanent deal.
Kieran McKenna, the manager of Ipswich Town, is known to be a great fan of Rodon, and such attention may be enough to entice Rodon to move elsewhere.
Leeds will likely make contingency plans in the event that Rodon does not return, and Wood should be among them.
