In a major help to head coach Daniel Farke as he looks to return to the Premier League, a Leeds United target is now reportedly pressing for a move to Elland Road.

Leeds in three-horse race for automatic promotion

For the second time this season, Leeds is trying to get promoted from the Championship back to the Premier League.

After finishing third in the Championship, Farke’s team lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final, narrowly missing out on promotion in the 2023–24 campaign.

Instead, the Whites are headed for automatic promotion this season, leading the table on goal differential with eight games remaining, ahead of Burnley and Sheffield United.

Off the field, the team seems to be getting ready for the upcoming campaign, whether it will be in the Premier League or the Championship, as they are reportedly already considering a number of transfer targets.

These include Cameron Archer of Southampton, a striker Farke had targeted in January, and Ibrahima Kone of Almeria, a forward, whom the Yorkshire club is reportedly interested in signing this summer, according to Africa Foot.

Lukaku has been likened to him. Kone, who is presently on loan at Al Okhdood in Saudi Arabia, has been compared to Romelu Lukaku for his athletic prowess. He is unlikely to stay with the team into the current campaign, though, as Almeria is apparently prepared to sell him elsewhere in the summer for about €10 million (£8.4 million).

Phillips pushing for Leeds return

Former midfielder Kalvin Phillips is another name rumored to be on Leeds’ wish list.

Phillips, who is presently on loan at Ipswich Town from Manchester City, has already verbally agreed to return to Elland Road if Farke’s team wins promotion, according to a recent TEAMtalk story.

Leeds has expressed interest, and City is unlikely to thwart the transfer unless the 49ers present a bid of about £20 million.

Phillips’s return to Leeds was tipped to be a secret for some time but there’s been some good news for Farke – and the club’s fans too – thanks to Football Insider: he is.

Phillips is keen to return to Leeds and is “working hard” towards a move where the club’s “support” and “support of the fans” will help bring his lacklustre career back into the limelight, the publication understands.

Phillips also hopes the switch means he can get his foot back in the England fold, who haven’t seen him in action for the Three Lions since 2023.

Phillips has also been described as “exceptional” by City boss Pep Guardiola before his arrival at the Etihad Stadium and just months after he joined the club, the Spanish boss said of the English midfielder, said transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano: “Kalvin. He is excellent in many things. Why is he not playing? Rodri is one of the important for us.

“Never, ever makes one action against mates that play, or a bad face, training bad. I’d love to give him as much minutes as possible.”