Leeds United can afford to start thinking like a Premier League team once the summer transfer window opens because they will be a Premier League team for the 2025–2026 season.
The club’s second consecutive return to the English top division, which was mathematically confirmed on Easter Monday, has been managed by Daniel Farke. After the festivities have died down, they have two more games to play before the next task demands their undivided attention: preparation.
Which Leeds United players, when promotion was confirmed, may get a Championship winners’ medal?
Leeds struggled financially when they previously made it back to the Championship, but now that they are back in the big time, they should earn almost £120 million to be promoted. With that, they can afford to come up with a bold transfer plan to avoid ending up like the six promoted teams in the previous two seasons.
In light of this, Leeds Live examines a number of players that are already being rumoured to join Farke’s team.
Kalvin Phillips
Leeds paid £45 million three years ago for their childhood star, who had started to shine on the stages of the Premier League and the England national team. Regretfully, Kalvin Phillips’ career took a different route after that.
After making just 31 appearances under Pep Guardiola, he was sent on loan to West Ham and Ipswich Town, where he has once again struggled to find play.
Football Insider now claims that the 29-year-old is “seriously interested” in returning to Elland Road to help the team return to the top flight, and Man City is reportedly prepared to accept this at a discounted rate.
Manor Solomon
While on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Manor Solomon has contributed nine goals and eleven assists to Leeds’ impressive promotion campaign.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Joel Piroe of Leeds United celebrates with teammate Manor Solomon after scoring his team’s third goal to complete his hat-trick during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United FC and Stoke City FC at Elland Road on April 21, 2025 in Leeds, England.
Since the 25-year-old can now play Premier League football at his current residence, it is obvious that the temporary switch is being considered to become a permanent one.
After winning the match against Oxford United on Good Friday, he remarked, “I want to enjoy it until the end because I’ve been enjoying it so much so far this season.”
Evan Ferguson
Shortly before the promotion was officially announced, TEAMtalk reported that Farke and company were interested in loaning Evan Ferguson.
Although he is still a Brighton player, the 20-year-old has not been part of Fabian Hurzeler’s plans and will spend the second half of the season on loan at West Ham. The capital has continued to see struggles, which has already sparked speculation about his next course of action.
Sam Johnstone
According to Alan Nixon of the Sun, Sam Johnstone is being given more attention in an effort to strengthen Leeds’ goalkeeping unit.
Both James Trafford of Burnley and Nick Pope of Newcastle United were previously linked, but as both are anticipated to be expensive, Johnstone is a cheap substitute with a plenty of Premier League experience.
The 32-year-old, who attended Manchester United’s academy, has made 73 appearances in the division while playing for West Brom, Crystal Palace, and now Wolves.
He was chosen as the Premier League’s player of the year by both supporters and teammates for his 2020–21 efforts at The Hawthorns.
Eduard Spertsyan
As the former Krasnodar manager, Farke worked with Eduard Spertsyan, the attacking midfielder, and has previously been linked to a £17 million move to rejoin him in the Premier League next season.
This season, the two-time Russian Premier League midfielder of the year has made 30 appearances in all competitions, with four assists and eight goals.
Spertsyan said, when asked in February if he would think about moving to Elland Road: “Why not? Given that they are in first place, they will probably be admitted to the Premier League.
He did, however, also state that Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Ajax, Girona, and Lens were interested, so Leeds may be in for a battle.
Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool custodian Caoimhin Kelleher has also been mentioned as a potential addition to give Illan Meslier competition.
At 26, the Irishman is in a difficult situation as he fills in for Alisson Becker at Anfield and is completely trusted to step in when the Brazilian isn’t there. He has played for the Reds for six seasons, making 67 games overall, 46 of which were in the last two seasons.
Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to be signed by the ostensibly imminent Premier League winners this summer, and Kelleher is expected to be let go in his place given that he has been demanding a starting position.
Take the first part of this rumour as confirmed, as GIVEMESPORT stated that a move would be contingent solely on promotion.
Zaidu Sanusi
The left back for FC Porto, Zaidu Sanusi, has vehemently denied that talks have already taken place with Leeds despite being linked to an Elland Road transaction.
“I am not in contact with Leeds United or any team right now,” said the player. Leeds United has not extended an offer to me for a four-year contract, and I am not in negotiations with them. On that, they lied.
It would seem that the region needs attention when the market opens, though, since Farke stands to lose Junior Firpo when his contract expires on June 30.
Dennis Cirkin of Sunderland is a left back that Leeds has shown interest in, according to a previous statement made by Graeme Bailey to AFC News.
The 23-year-old has now established himself as a consistent starter for Regis le Bris after being sold by Tottenham to the Wearside team in 2021. His achievements have not gone unnoticed; it was reported that both established top-flight teams and Leeds were watching him before promotion was declared.
However, Sunderland still has a chance to finish fourth and win the Championship play-offs, which would allow them to follow Leeds to promotion.
