Leeds United are expecting to learn over the weekend whether their move for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles has been successful.
Discussions between the clubs were believed to be moving in a positive direction on Friday, with both sides working to find a compromise.
Charles is highly regarded, but among many Leeds supporters there is a feeling that more urgent business remains in other areas of the squad, particularly in goal, central defence, left-back and up front.
The expected departure of Karl Darlow to Manchester United is likely to heighten those concerns. Leeds had hoped to keep him at Elland Road, but were unable to offer assurances that he would continue as first choice.
With Lucas Perri also attracting interest from Torino, the need for Leeds to move quickly for a leading goalkeeper has become increasingly apparent.
Parma’s Zion Suzuki is one name on their radar, though the key question is whether the Japan international is fully committed to a switch to Leeds given interest from other clubs, including Aston Villa.
Parma and Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is of interest to Leeds but has interest from Villa too
In the meantime, Alex Cairns has agreed a new two-year contract, giving Leeds a dependable back-up option while they continue their search for a new No 1.
Pascal Struijk’s sale to Brighton for £18m plus add-ons is reasonable business, when he looked unlikely to sign a new deal. The move went through on the final day of the three-year accounting window for PSR.
Leeds said Struijk’s transfer fee, along with the added income of a 14th-placed finish in the Premier League and a run to the FA Cup semi-final, ensured the club stayed within their PSR limits.
Leeds feel this vindicates their decision to keep the squad together last summer after winning promotion from the Championship.
But centre-back was already a weak point, and they need depth, particularly as Daniel Farke likes to switch to three.
Sebastiaan Bornauw could yet go and Max Wober who spent last year on loan at Werder Bremen, while winger Jack Harrison, who is one of their bigger earners, is in negotiations over a move to New England Revolution.
Ivory Coast international defender Ousmane Diomande at Sporting Lisbon would be Leeds’ ideal addition but expensive with a buyout clause at £68.9m.
Parma defender Mariano Troilo, a 23-year-old Argentine, fits their profile for signings and has been suggested.
Ousmane Diomande would be Leeds’ ideal addition but he would not come cheap
Switzerland’s Nico Elvedi at Borussia Monchengladbach has been proposed but is 29, lacking re-sale value, and would cost around £9m.
Generally, Leeds are excited by the position they are in with a good nucleus of a competitive Premier League squad already in situ. The signing of former Fulham forward Harry Wilson is also a coup considering the competition.
The 29-year-old faced media this week and was effusive in praise of how Farke has set Leeds up.
‘Speaking with the manager here, he’s told me I’m a player he’s watched for years and tried to get me at a couple of clubs in the past and obviously last summer as well. To have a manager, when he isn’t your manager, who watches you from the outside, that’s important.
‘I hope when I start to work with him on a day-to-day basis, I can show him what he’s seen from afar is true and hopefully we can do good things together.’
Harry Wilson is Leeds’ first signing of the summer, on a free transfer after his Fulham contract expired
Wilson pointed to how Leeds are now viewed as a real threat by opponents in the top flight, and how the partisan atmosphere at Elland Road serves them so well. They hope to improve that aspect further with plans for 2,000 capacity fan park opposite the Jack Charlton Stand.
That fan power and a couple more new signings will make them formidable competitors in Wilson’s view.
The pursuit of ex-Liverpool target Julian Brandt underlines that ambition but they still face work to convince the 30-year-old former Dortmund man.
At least Charles wants to join. Leeds have offered Southampton £23million plus add-ons and believe the Northern Ireland international can grow into a top midfielder.
Crystal Palace and Fulham, plus one other Premier League side, also hold interest but the focus for Charles is on Leeds.
Should a deal falter with Southampton pushing for £30m, Leeds would explore alternatives but despite links with Parma’s Mandela Keita, he is not understood to be an option.
Southampton want £30million for Shea Charles (left) but Leeds are hoping for a compromise
Similarly, rumours of a return for Kalvin Phillips at Manchester City have been scorched as he discusses a new deal with Sheffield United.
For left-back, Matt Targett had again been proposed following his departure from Newcastle but Leeds are assessing other options too and he is talking to West Ham and Norwich City.
A striker is needed to compete with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda has been discussed but, once again, Leeds feel others may represent better value.
Talks are ongoing for what will be a busy final six weeks of the transfer window.
