Though Friday night’s 4-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers will feel like the end of the world, Leeds United do still have a chance of promotion.
Leeds currently sit second in the Championship and one point ahead of Ipswich Town, but have played two matches more than the Tractor Boys.
The Whites are now relying on huge favours from both Hull City and Coventry City ahead of their final day encounter with Southampton. They do, of course, also have the play-offs to fall back on.
With that in mind, it is still uncertain as to what division Leeds will be playing in next season and so those in the recruitment team will be planning for both potential eventualities.
Leeds have already been linked with the likes of Adam Hlozek and Luca Netz if they return to the Premier League, but there will certainly be a different calibre of player targeted if it doesn’t happen.
Leeds keen on summer move for Rotherham’s Viktor Johansson
With £190 million of unpaid transfer instalments hanging over Leeds, remaining in the Championship would lead to the sale of several key assets.
Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Willy Gnonto are all among those who could attract big money interest. A major squad overhaul could well be in the offing.
And one position which is in need of upgrading regardless of division is goalkeeper, with Illan Meslier again enduring a tough end to the season, for the second year in a row.
According to Sport Bladet, Leeds have already identified the player they want to bring in as their new number one, and that is Rotherham United’s Viktor Johansson.
It is said Leeds will battle it out with Sheffield United and Stoke City for Johansson, who has a £1 million release clause in his contract after the Millers’ relegation to League One.
Despite being in comfortably the worst team in the league, Johansson is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the division, and would represent an upgrade on Meslier.
It will be interesting to see whether Leeds’ reported interest hinges on them staying in the Championship, or if they would still pursue him in the Premier League.
Who is Leeds target Viktor Johansson?
Johansson is a 25-year-old goalkeeper who is already an international with Sweden, despite having never played above the Championship.
He spent time in the youth sides of both Aston Villa and Leicester City as a youngster, before then joining current club Rotherham permanently in 2020.
Johansson has made 143 appearances in total for Rotherham and does still have a year left on his contract, though is clearly too good for League One.