Leeds United will know whatever division they play in by the end of May.
The Whites had to settle for a place in the Championship play-offs after missing out on immediate promotion to Ipswich Town due to a dismal season finale.
With the summer rapidly coming, people behind the scenes will be making plans to ensure Leeds enters the transfer window well equipped.
However, Leeds’ recruitment staff will need to plan for two scenarios, since it remains unknown whether they will be a Premier League club again in August.
Promotion would, of course, result in a far more exciting period of incomings to improve the squad. Staying down, on the other hand, would result in a far more conservative window.
Leeds would need to sell important players because they still owed £190 million in overdue transfer instalments. 49ers Enterprises would also need to spend their money wisely.
Charlie Taylor could be available for free this summer.
If Leeds do not gain promotion this summer, they must simply tap into the free agency market.
Leeds could attempt to sign a number of players who are out of contract next month, including Coventry City’s Callum O’Hare. He would be a valuable addition to either league.
Ben Johnson is the latest to show interest, following Leeds’ in January. The 24-year-old should be one of two full-backs the Whites try to sign for free this summer.
The other player is Charlie Taylor, whom Leeds made a bid to sign last summer. However, he remained since Burnley failed to sign their own left-back.
Taylor acknowledged in March that he hasn’t given much thought to a new contract at Turf Moor, and with the Clarets on the verge of relegation, he may be looking for a fresh start.
Taylor is, of course, a Leeds academy product who made over 100 appearances for the club before joining Burnley on a free transfer in 2017.
Taylor is a proven player at this level, having made nearly 300 games in England’s top two divisions. He would add a wealth of experience to a youthful Leeds squad.
Leeds should target better if they are promoted, but if not, this one seems like a no-brainer.
Taylor could be an effective Junior Firpo replacement.
Junior Firpo has done admirably for Leeds in the second half of the season, assisting seven times since the turn of the year.
He made his first serious defensive error against Southampton on Saturday, but it should not detract from how he has played in recent months. Firpo has been among the greatest in his position.
However, given how imminent Firpo’s departure appeared last summer, he seems unlikely to stay for another Championship season.
This is perhaps the highest Firpo’s stock has been since joining Leeds in 2021, and with his contract expiring next summer, this could be his last chance to make some money.
Taylor would be an excellent replacement without having to pay any transfer costs.
