Leeds United could break the bank on one or two players this summer, including a player who’s very highly-regarded over in France.
Leeds United will surely scour the continent for some new potential signings this summer, and Daniel Farke will look to emulate some of the deals he pulled off last season, such as the signing of Ao Tanaka.
Tanaka cost Leeds United just £3.4million last summer. He’s now arguably worth at least £20million and that figure could easily double if he enjoys a solid Premier League season next time round.
This summer, Farke looks set to spend big. The 49ers are prepared to spend £100million on transfers this summer in a bid to keep Leeds United in the Premier League for the long-term, but the players they’re being linked with are proving costly.
Names like Caoimhin Kelleher could cost up to £40million which would break the transfer record at Elland Road. Leeds United’s most expensive signing ever remains that of Georginio Rutter in 2023, who cost the Whites £35.5million.
Leeds United target Leonardo Balerdi called ‘the most underrated player in Ligue 1’
Another name who could cost Leeds big this summer is Leonardo Balerdi. Leeds United are interested in signing Balerdi from Marseille but the Argentina international has interest from elsewhere, with the likes of Roma also keen to sign the 26-year-old centre-back who’s valued at £38million by Marseille.
But he’s very highly-regarded in France. So much so that his Marseille teammates Amine Gouiri thinks Balerdi is the most underrated player in the entire French top tier. Speaking to French outlet Le 10 Sport, Gouiri said: “The most underrated player in Ligue 1? I would say my captain, Leo Balerdi. A top player, a top defender. We know his worth, but he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.”
Balerdi, who has six caps for Argentina and is formerly of Borussia Dortmund, has featured 26 times in Ligue 1 for Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille in 2024/25. His side currently sit in 2nd place of the Ligue 1 table and have conceded 45 goals in 33 league matches this season.
