Leeds United and Southampton will be shopping in completely different markets this summer.
After beating Leeds in the Championship play-off final last month, Southampton will now have more freedom on how much money they can spend as they look to build a squad capable of staying in the Premier League.
Leeds, on the other hand, will have to be much smarter in their recruitment in order to remain compliant with PSR, though Paraag Marathe has insisted funds will be available to spend.
The Whites will officially be able to start signing players from today onwards but that is not to say work hasn’t been going on behind-the-scenes.
The fact Brenden Aaronson has already held talks with Daniel Farke and agreed to return to Elland Road next season should be clear evidence of that.
Leeds should move for former Southampton target Nathan Wood
This time 12 months ago, Leeds and Southampton were in a very similar position having both on the lookout for a new manager after relegation.
As such, there was plenty of overlap when it came to who the two sides were targeting last summer, with Joel Piroe, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Max Aarons just some of the names linked with both.
One player Southampton did also target who seemingly wasn’t on Leeds’ radar was Swansea City defender Nathan Wood, who had worked under Russell Martin in South Wales.
According to Wales Online, Southampton saw an offer of £10 million rejected by the Swans for Wood a year ago, and are again braced for offers.
This time around, however, Wood has just a year remaining on his deal and has shown no signs of agreeing an extension, meaning there is a possibility he could leave.
With it uncertain Joe Rodon will return, Liam Cooper being out of contract, and Charlie Cresswell wanted elsewhere, new central defenders are going to be at the top of Farke’s wishlist.
If a deal cannot be struck for Rodon, Wood would be a superb alternative and clearly he is going to be available for less than eight figures given his contract situation.
Wood made 26 appearances for Swansea last season and at just 22, has plenty of room for development.
As per FBRef, Wood is of a similar mould to that of Pascal Struijk and so if they can field two defenders of that quality together next season, it should provide the perfect foundation for another promotion push.
How likely is it Joe Rodon returns to Leeds?
At this stage of the summer, of course, Rodon remains Leeds’ first choice target at centre-back after such a successful loan spell from Tottenham.
But it is not going to be easy for Leeds to strike a permanent deal given the finances which could be involved, and interest arising from the Premier League.
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is said to be a big fan of Rodon and that sort of interest may well be enough to tempt Rodon into moving elsewhere.
Leeds will undoubtedly be putting contingency plans in place for if Rodon doesn’t return and Wood should certainly be one of them.