Leeds in talks to sign £42m star

Leeds United fans of years gone by have often seen their club battle with some of Europe’s and England’s elite, but many of the recent supporters would have only seen second-tier football.

The Whites have constantly flirted with the Premier League, often spending a couple of years in such a division, before suffering a return to the Championship.

Daniel Farke will be hoping that he can build on last season’s survival and establish his senior side as a force to be reckoned with over the next couple of seasons.

The run of just four defeats in the final 17 games of the 2025/26 campaign is evidence that his men are very tricky to beat – especially after switching to a back-three system.

However, if Leeds are to reach the next level next season and beyond, the 49ers will need to open their chequebook once again to aid Farke in his quest.

Leeds advancing move to land £42m star this summer

In an attempt to build on last season’s Premier League survival, Leeds’ recruitment team have been hunting far and wide to identify players to improve the current squad.

Southampton midfielder Shea Charles is just one player who has appeared on the Whites’ radar, after being kicked out of the Championship play-offs over the spygate saga.

The Northern Ireland international is also on the radar of Nottingham Forest this summer, with a £20m price tag being mooted for the 22-year-old’s signature.

The defensive department also looks set to be bolstered during the summer transfer window, with Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande another player being considered at present.

According to A Bola via Sport Witness, Leeds have been in constant contact with the player’s representatives over a move to Elland Road this summer.

The report states that Farke’s men are showing a willingness to get a deal done for the Ivorian centre-back, who’s currently representing his nation at the World Cup.

It’s unclear if the player himself would be open to a Premier League move this window, but the Whites are said to be willing to offer €50m (£42m) including add-ons for the 22-year-old.

Why Diomande would be a better signing than Charles for Leeds

During the 2025/26 campaign, Leeds’ midfield was arguably the strongest area of the senior squad, with Farke often relying upon a settled partnership at the heart of the side.

Captain Ethan Ampadu and German international Anton Stach were often the chosen options at the heart of the side – a duo which excelled beyond all imagination.

The pair scored six goals between them during the survival campaign, whilst laying on four assists for their teammates – keeping the likes of Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev out of the starting eleven.

The latter duo are still undoubtedly excellent squad options for the Whites, which could make the addition of Charles this summer somewhat unnecessary – especially if he’s just a backup.

As for the centre-back department, the switch to a back-three system has undoubtedly improved results, but heightened the need for added reinforcements.

Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk have been the go-to trio at the back, but the latter could depart this window as he has just one year remaining on his current deal.

As a result, a move for Diomande should be seen as a priority, with the Ivorian a player who can star at the heart of the backline for many years to come, given his tender age.

His stats from the recent campaign in Portugal highlight his superb quality – which could inject the needed calibre to help the side reach the next level in 2026/27.

Diomande, who’s been dubbed a “world-class” talent by analyst Alex Brice, made 5.2 ball recoveries and won 2.6 aerials won per 90 – with the former of the two stats ranking him in the top 3% of defenders in Europe.

Diomande’s tally of 4.1 clearances made and 6.3 defensive actions per 90 reaffirms his phenomenal ability without the ball – which could massively improve the Whites’ backline.

In possession, the Ivorian has also thrived in recent months, subsequently completing 93% of the passes he attempted – also ranking him in the top 3% of defenders in the continent.

His talent with and without the ball is unheard of for a player of his tender age, but he’s only going to get better in the years ahead – especially when surrounding himself with better talents.

£42m would be a huge deal for Leeds this summer, but it’s one that could hand the side a top-level talent whilst having the chance to make a profit in the future.