Leeds United were actually forced to reject an offer from a Premier League club for one of their key players before the play-off final.
The Premier League season came to an end seven days before Leeds made their trip to Wembley meaning clubs were able to start focusing on the summer earlier.
Leeds, of course, were beaten 1-0 by Southampton in that all important final, which has opened the door for potential exits at Elland Road ahead of the window opening a week on Friday.
In the second season after relegation, parachute payments are reduced and so there is more pressure on clubs to ensure they remain compliant with PSR.
Leeds have acknowledged some key players will have to depart in order to balance the books, with Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray among those attracting significant interest.
Journalist says Leeds could sanction shock Ilia Gruev exit
With players either on holiday, or away on international duty ahead of the two major international tournaments, it was always going to be a quiet start to the summer.
That is not to say things aren’t going on behind-the-scenes, though, especially when chairman Paraag Marathe has already come out and admitted they need a quicker start to the window than 12 months ago.
With Leeds needing to have paid off £73 million in transfer instalments by June 30, it would not be a surprise if a big sale arrived before then, and a shock name has come to light in the last 24 hours.
It was reported last night that Borussia Dortmund are eyeing up a potential move for Ilia Gruev this summer and as per journalist Patrick Berger, a deal is now possible.
Berger wrote on his personal X account that Leeds actually rejected an offer from an unnamed Premier League club for the ‘class‘ Gruev before the play-off final, but it would appear their stance has softened somewhat.
Dortmund are just one of ‘several’ clubs who are watching his situation right now, and it already feels like a rumour that is gathering pace.
Three potential replacements Leeds should look at
Given how much he played in the second half of the season, Leeds would certainly have to replace Gruev if he was to leave.
There is no doubt Ethan Ampadu will return to midfield after his stint at the back, but Leeds will not want to leave themselves any shorter in the engine room.
It remains unclear whether Leeds would target a like-for-like replacement or attack-minded player given the distinct lack of goals from that area of the pitch last season.
With that in mind, LeedsUnited.News have taken a look at three players they should consider to replace him if he leaves.