Despite the obvious disappointment of missing out on promotion, Leeds United will be looking to hit the ground running this summer.
Leeds were consigned to a second consecutive season of Championship football on Sunday as they were beaten 1-0 by Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.
Having been relegated this time 12 months ago, it was not until July that Leeds were really able to get their transfer window underway as 49ers Enterprises worked to complete their full takeover and the appointment of Daniel Farke as manager.
Ultimately, that slow start proved costly in their question for promotion as they were unable to get the better of Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the top two race, who both got off to lighting quick starts.
And although Leeds know they will have to lose a number of key players this summer, they should be in a position to bring in replacements quickly, to give them a full pre-season and therefore allow them to start quickly.
Leeds target move for Ateef Konate
Chairman Paraag Marathe has confirmed funds will be available for Farke to spend this summer, all be it within the restrictions of the EFL’s tight PSR constraints.
With that in mind, the free agent market is certainly somewhere in which Leeds should be looking at to strengthen the squad, with plenty of quality players coming to the end of their contracts next month.
And according to outlet Africa Foot, Leeds are looking at signing a player who is set to leave a Premier League club on a free transfer this summer in Nottingham Forest’s Ateef Konate.
It is said Leeds are set to battle it out with the likes of Huddersfield Town, Sunderland and Derby County for the 23-year-old, who has already announced his departure from Forest ahead of the window opening.
Konate played just three times for Forest’s first team but has been prolific at U21s level, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 55 appearances for the Reds’ youth side.
Konate compared to Vinicius by Djed Spence
Konate is actually an old teammate of former Leeds loanee Djed Spence, with the two having been together at Forest at the same time.
And after helping Forest’s U23s to a 3-0 win over Sunderland back in 2022, Spence even compared Konate to that of Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr.
Obviously all tongue in cheek, of course, but it would appear as though Konate is the type of player who likes to bring flair and pace to the pitch whenever he plays.
Given his lack of experience in senior football at the age of 23, this feels like it would be a bit of a risk, but there is plenty of competition for his signature anyway.