Leeds United will already be planning ahead for the upcoming summer transfer window.
It is now just a matter of weeks until clubs will be able to conduct incoming and outgoing business, though Leeds still have plenty of work to do in the season yet.
Having missed out on automatic promotion to both Leicester City and Ipswich Town, Leeds now have a second shot at sealing an immediate return to the Premier League.
With that in mind, Leeds’ recruitment team will be putting the necessary preparations in place for both potential eventualities, which are promotion and remaining in the Championship.
Leeds fans are not overly confident of their side’s chances in the play-offs and after losing four of their last six matches, they will have to make Championship history to win them.
Leeds following Antwerp midfielder Mandela Keita
Leeds would certainly be in for a more exciting summer if they were to get promoted, as it would allow them to shop in an ambitious market, without necessarily having to move players on.
On the other hand, 49ers Enterprises have already acknowledged they will have to sell some members of the squad, in order to comply with PSR rules and offset some of that £190 million owed in transfer instalments.
However, 49ers have no intention of resting on their laurels and given their long-term ambitions at Elland Road, they would look to rebuild a squad ready for another promotion push.
And according to Het Nieuwsblad, Leeds are following a potential target ahead of the summer in Royal Antwerp midfielder Mandela Keita.
It remains to be seen what division Leeds would have to be in to sign him, but Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest are among the other clubs said to be keen.
Who is reported Leeds target Mandela Keita?
Keita is a 21-year-old central defensive midfielder who has already been capped on one occasion by Belgium, which does hint that Leeds will need to be in the Premier League to sign him.
He has made almost 100 appearances across his senior career for both OH Leuven and Royal Antwerp, 53 of which have come for the latter. Keita was part of the Antwerp side that beat Barcelona 3-2 in the Champions League earlier this season.
Keita has been regarded as an ‘exceptional talent’ by scouts who have watched him, while Manchester United are also said to have scouted him several times, as per Het Nieuwsblad.
This is not the first time Leeds have been linked with a move for Keita, with the Whites having reportedly enquired about him last summer, too.