Leeds United have regretted missing out on a number of players as transfer targets over the years, especially as a Championship club.
With Leeds United having spent 18 of the last 21 years in the second tier, they have been unable to always retain their best players and attract even better ones to try and get themselves out of the EFL and back to where they feel they belong.
The riches of the Premier League should help to rectify that now, bringing with it the ability to compete with the majority of clubs in Europe — such is the lucrative nature of the TV money available to the 20 teams in England’s top tier.
The Whites have celebrated promotion in style but now need to ensure they build a squad for Daniel Farke which is capable of surviving the drop and consolidating their place. Experienced players in the Premier League and younger risks from abroad are likely to be two areas of the market Leeds explore.
Brighton’s Matt O’Riley should be back on Leeds’ radar
One out of favour player could be back on Leeds’ radar this summer. Brighton and Hove Albion’s Matt O’Riley was a major target for Leeds from Celtic once upon a time.
Leeds made a bid of £10 million for O’Riley back in the summer of 2023 following relegation to the Championship. Not only that, but O’Riley links to Leeds continued into the following summer of 2024.
However, a £25 million move to Brighton then followed. It hasn’t worked out as either had planned it, but it is neither Fabian Hurzeler’s fault nor O’Riley’s. On the 24-year-old’s debut for Brighton in the EFL Cup against Crawley Town, he was forced off after just nine minutes.
O’Riley subsequently underwent ankle surgery, with it keeping him out for almost three months. In that time, other players established themselves in the central or attacking midfield areas that O’Riley operates in.
A separate knee issue has hampered his progress once he got himself fit, having scored his one and only goal for Brighton back in November against Man City. It means that it is fair to say his first season has been a frustrating one.
O’Riley has failed to complete 90 minutes once so far. His place in the pecking order is such that he is back on the table for Leeds if they look to acquire their long-term target. Back in March, talkSPORT revealed that he is attracting the attentions of clubs in Italy.
He now needs to move on and feature more regularly ahead of a World Cup season in the 2025/26 campaign. O’Riley has been linked to Leeds but also other teams across Europe and needs the game time to break into Denmark’s squad next year.
He is perfect for Leeds, given he can be utilised as a No.8 or a No.10, which is what Farke usually operates with for his most advanced midfield player. A hybrid role could suit a player of O’Riley’s talents and Leeds could be the perfect answer to his problem.
The likes of Georginio Rutter and Brajan Gruda play the more advanced role, while Mats Wieffer, Yasin Ayari, Carlos Baleba, and the like fill the deeper midfield roles. O’Riley suits playing further forward and Leeds have a gap there due to the fact Brenden Aaronson needs upgrading.
The USMNT international offers plenty out of possession, but nine goals and two assists in the second tier isn’t going to translate well to Premier League football.
Matt O’Riley’s goal and assist numbers illustrate what Leeds need
Southampton wanted O’Riley after falling out of favour with Brighton following his persistent injury concerns, but he could now be on the move again this summer.
Only 24, O’Riley is the sort of risk Leeds have to take on a player who may be undervalued due to a bad injury in a difficult season. Leeds can take advantage of that to get him back into form.
He would be a serious upgrade in terms of his quality overall, but O’Riley is so much more than just his output. He is comfortable on the ball and under pressure, technically excellent, and 6’2 meaning he can deal with the physical requirements of Premier League football.
His creativity is perhaps his biggest asset of all, but Leeds could benefit greatly from a disappointing season with Brighton and his need for regular game time. He could be someone to build the Leeds team around in 2025/26.
