Leeds United should be looking to make use of Daniel Farke’s contacts in Germany in the transfer market this summer.
Leeds‘ 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the play-off final on Sunday means they will be playing a second successive season of Championship football, and so splashing the cash isn’t something they can do.
Though Paraag Marathe has promised funds will be available, Leeds will have to be smart with the business they conduct to ensure they comply with the EFL’s stringent PSR regulations.
Following Farke‘s history in German football and time as Borussia Monchengladbach manager, Leeds did make some use of contacts last summer by bringing in Ilia Gruev from Werder Bremen, and almost signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Nadiem Amiri.
Both players were available for around the £5 million mark and that is likely to again be the sort of price Leeds will be able to spend on individual signings over the next few months.
So, with that in mind, here is a look at three players from Germany’s top two leagues they should look at.
Mitchell Weiser – Werder Bremen
Starting off in defence and a position they could be extremely light in next month is at right-back, with Gruev’s former teammate at Werder Bremen Mitchell Weiser.
With Connor Roberts set to return to Burnley, Sam Byram out of contract, and Archie Gray wanted by plenty of Europe’s elite, the right side of defence could require multiple additions.
Weiser is certainly someone who fits that bill, having accumulated a total of 200 Bundesliga appearances during his career for the likes of Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and now Bremen.
At 30, Weiser would bring a wealth of experience to a young dressing room at Elland Road, which is in need of that type of player with the likes of Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas set to leave.
He scored three goals and provided seven assists in the Bundesliga this season, and so his ability to get forward could be extremely well suited to the Championship.
Ludovit Reis – Hamburg
The second division of German football is certainly a division where there are some bargains to be had, and Hamburg midfielder Ludovit Reis could be one of them.
Reis is a central midfielder who has a keen eye for goal, having scored 18 and provided 10 assists in 101 appearances for Hamburg.
Having played for Barcelona as a youngster, Reis is extremely technically gifted but at 23, has already also displayed some leadership qualities by captaining Hamburg at times last season.
Reis is also capable of playing as a right-back and with Gray potentially leaving for pastures new, he would immediately replace that sort of versatility.
Ao Tanaka – Fortuna Dusseldorf
Another midfielder with a keen eye for goal Leeds could, and reportedly are looking at, is Fortuna Dusseldorf’s Ao Tanaka.
Tanaka is a player Leeds actually bid for last summer but opted against buying, and links have once again re-emerged with him in the last 24 hours.
After Dusseldorf’s failure to win promotion to the Bundesliga, Tanaka could be available again when the window re-opens, and Leeds shouldn’t make the same mistake of missing out again.
As mentioned, Leeds are in serious need of adding some midfield goals to their squad and with seven in 30 appearances last season, he fits the bill.
Tanaka also has eight in 26 caps at international level for Japan, which is yet more evidence he knows where the back of the net is.