It remains uncertain what sort of budget Leeds United will hand Daniel Farke to spend this summer.
Though Paraag Marathe has confirmed funds will be available for Farke, he perhaps unsurprisingly did not disclose what sort of figure that may be.
Leeds were among the highest spenders in the division 12 months ago after coming down from the Premier League, splashing just shy of £30 million on nine players.
It would not be a surprise if Leeds were somewhere near the top of that list again, particularly when you consider the money they could rake in from sales.
Leeds are expected to command around £30 million for Crysencio Summerville, while returning loan players such as Max Wober could also bring in some decent cash.
Last summer, Leeds did try target some of the cream of the crop in the Championship and at the time, winning the race for Swansea City’s Joel Piroe was seen as a significant coup.
Farke also came close to reuniting with Max Aarons until he joined Norwich City, and so with that in mind, here are three ambitious Championship players Leeds should be looking at this time around.
Perry Ng – Cardiff City
Right-back is almost certainly going to be an area that requires strengthening this summer with Sam Byram currently the only recognised option in the squad.
Archie Gray can play there, but his preferred position is midfield and Marathe was unable to give any guarantees regarding his future. Former loanee Connor Roberts has also returned to Burnley, and at this stage, it is uncertain whether he will return.
As such, one Championship player they could look to cherry pick from elsewhere is Cardiff City’s Perry Ng, who was one of the best in his position last season.
Aside from Premier League quality stars Ricardo Pereira and Kyle Walker-Peters, there was no one better than Ng at this level as he registered a very impressive six goals and four assists in 39 appearances.
At 28, Ng would add some much needed experience to a young Leeds squad and a move to a promotion contender could well tempt him into leaving South Wales.
Josh Sargent – Norwich City
Striker could also well be a position Leeds look to strengthen this summer amid doubts over the future of Patrick Bamford.
Bamford has proven time and time again he cannot be relied onto be Leeds’ first choice number nine due to fitness issues and so a big name to finally come in and take the pressure off him would be ideal.
One player who would fit the bill is a player Farke knows well from his time at Norwich City in Josh Sargent, who was one of the most prolific number nines in the division last season.
Sargent scored an impressive 16 goals in just 24 league starts for the Canaries and Leeds have already been linked with a move for the 24-year-old.
Norwich could well be forced into selling him this summer due to PSR issues and the opportunity to link him up with fellow USMNT teammate Brenden Aaronson could be enticing for Farke.
Jack Clarke – Sunderland
Perhaps the most ambitious name on this list but Leeds are going to be in need of some serious quality on that left-hand-side if Summerville leaves as expected.
Alongside Summerville, Clarke was one of the best left-wingers in the division last season as he netted 15 goals and provided four assists in 40 appearances.
Clarke is, of course, well known to Leeds fans already having burst onto the scene from the academy under Marcelo Bielsa back in the 2018/19 season.
After losing his way a bit, Clarke is now very much fulfilling that early potential and could be ready for the next step in his career away from a mid-table outfit like Sunderland.
Clarke is already attracting Premier League interest but if significant money is able to be reinvested from the potential £30 million Summerville could bring in, then Leeds just may be able to compete financially.