Leeds United could be in for a huge summer in the transfer window following a disappointing 2017/18 campaign that ended with Paul Heckingbottom getting the sack.
The 40-year-old had only been in charge for 16 Championship matches having succeeded Thomas Christiansen in February, but having won just four of those he was relieved of his duties earlier this month.
The Yorkshire outfit are yet to bring in a replacement for the former Barnsley boss – although owner Andrea Radrizzani is on the verge of making his smartest decision since he took the helm – but that won’t have stopped director of football Victor Orta and Radrizzani getting to work on bringing new additions to Elland Road.
One of those could well be Hull City striker Abel Hernandez on a free when his contract with the Tigers expires at the end of June – with Peterborough United attacker Jack Marriott also linked – but they won’t stop there if they are to build a squad to bounce back from last season’s shortcomings and mount a serious promotion push during the 2018/19 campaign.
While the money is there to spend, they may already have the solution to fixing some of their problem positions in terms of some of their teenage starlets.
Here are three exciting Leeds youngsters who could save Radrizzani a fortune this summer…
Having seen Matthew Pennington return to Everton following his season-long loan spell at Elland Road last season, Leeds are a little short of centre-back options beyond Pontus Jansson and captain Liam Cooper.
The latter in particular probably doesn’t have the quality to be a regular starter – despite being skipper if the Yorkshire outfit are to mount a serious promotion push next term – and they have been linked with a move for Swansea’s Kyle Bartley following a successful temporary spell during the 2016/17 campaign.
The 6ft 3in tall Strujik made the substitutes’ bench for the trip to Aston Villa in April following his January move from Ajax, and the 18-year-old looks to have the potential to make a huge impression alongside Jansson at the heart of the defence next season.
Like Strujik, Dably only joined Leeds during the January transfer window from Leyton Orient, and while it perhaps may have been an underwhelming signing for fans at the time, the 18-year-old forward has already made a big impact for the Yorkshire outfit.
The tall attacker has League Two and National League experience playing for the O’s, and he made a big impression for the development side after scoring four in his first six appearances for them.
The 6ft 3in striker has the physique to be a success in the Championship and challenge the likes of Caleb Ekuban for a spot in the starting XI after a tough debut campaign for the Italian, and he could learn a lot from someone like Abel Hernandez – if the Uruguayan signs on at Elland Road.
Leeds are still yet to effectively replace Chris Wood with loanee Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Pawel Cibicki failing to make a huge positive impression at Elland Road last season.
If the Whites need a physical striker to replace Lasogga following his return to parent club Hamburg, they could do a lot worse than give Edmondson a run in the side.
The tall 17-year-old made his Championship debut as a substitute for the Whites in the 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers last month, and he looks ready to make an impact in the league for them next term.
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