Leeds United had actually already reached an ‘agreement in principle’ for their first summer signing in the event they won promotion.
This time last week, Leeds were putting the finishing touches of their preparations for the Championship play-off final against Southampton in place.
Unfortunately, however, Leeds were consigned to another season of second-tier football with a 1-0 defeat against the Saints at Wembley, meaning they were the only one of the three relegated sides not to bounce back to the Premier League.
Had they gone up, much of the focus right now would’ve been on the calibre of players Leeds could’ve potentially brought in due to the lure of top-flight football.
As it happens, a lot of the reports this week have been on who might depart, though chairman Paraag Marathe has confirmed funds will be available for Daniel Farke to spend.
Leeds had reached ‘agreement in principle’ to sign Kalvin Phillips
In the week leading up to the final, Leeds were already being linked with a number of potential signings that hinged on returning to the Premier League.
Soon-to-be free agent Marius Wolf, currently of Borussia Dortmund, was mentioned as a target, while Gent centre-back Jordan Torunarigha is another who was being looked at.
Perhaps the most high profile of all the links was a sensational return to Elland Road for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Leeds was seen as a realistic destination for Phillips to get his career back on track had they won promotion, and now Team Talk have even gone one step further than that.
They reported earlier this afternoon that Leeds had even reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to bring Phillips back to the club on loan for the season.
However, that deal is now off after Leeds’ failure to win the play-off final, of which Phillips even attended in the Whites’ end.
Everton now pushing strongly to sign Phillips
Having endured a torrid second half of the season on loan at West Ham United, Phillips is once again free to leave Manchester City this summer.
Darren Bent believes Leeds would’ve been the perfect place for him to re-find his form again, but he will now have to look elsewhere for a move.
And as it stands, it appears as though Everton are currently fronting the queue for the 28-year-old’s signature.
The Toffees are also looking to bring Jack Harrison back to Goodison Park after the end of his loan spell, which could see two of Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion side reunite.