With the summer transfer window now slammed shut, HITC Sport have ranked all nine of Leeds United’s done deals, from Brenden Aaronson and Luis Sinisterra to Wilfried Gnonto.
The Elland Road hierarchy backed manager Jesse Marsch to assemble a team they believe can enjoy a stronger Premier League campaign than last term. The Whites entered the off-season on the back of narrowly avoiding relegation into the Championship on the final day.
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Marsch also had to contend with losing two of his most important players in Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. But the American coach and director of football Victor Orta will, so far, be pleased with what they have seen from some of their newest recruits in West Yorkshire…
1) Brenden Aaronson: Leeds secured first summer signing from RB Salzburg
Leeds secured their first signing of the summer with a £24.5m transfer for RB Salzburg star midfielder Brenden Aaronson. The 21-year-old has since opened all five of the Elland Road natives’ initial Premier League fixtures, while contributing one goal and one assist thus far.
Aaronson fired his maiden Leeds goal to break the deadlock at home to Chelsea during his first centralised appearance. Marsch had utilised the 21-cap USA international’s versatility with two right-wing outings, before moving centrally – where he assisted against Everton.
Yet no matter where Aaronson has played, the American has regularly provided an integral role. His endless persistence, tremendous work rate on and off the ball, quick movement, a solid passing range and some tidy dribbles have often seen him help to establish the tone.
2) Tyler Adams: Leeds signed Kalvin Phillips heir from RB Leipzig
Leeds raided German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig to sign Tyler Adams in a £20m deal as the heir to Kalvin Phillips. The Whites would let their talismanic anchor leave Elland Road with Manchester City for £45m, losing an integral part of their squad from the past six seasons.
Adams has grown into his West Yorkshire role at a solid level, and Marsch will want to see the 23-year-old maintain his levels. The 19-cap USMNT star has shown he can offer a busy presence to disrupt opposition moves and reads the game very well to screen the defence.
3) Marc Roca: Leeds secured early done deal from Bayern Munich
Leeds secured an early done deal with Bayern Munich to bring Marc Roca to Elland Road in June. The Whites paid Der FCB an initial £10m for the 25-year-old, who has started all five of their opening Premier League games as one of the first names on Marsch’s teamsheets.
Fitness has been an issue for the Spaniard, who has lost pace as fixtures have worn on. But Roca has shown he can offer a key body in the engine room when running on full steam. A strong tackler who loves to get stuck in, he has often brought control to games with Leeds.
4) Luis Sinisterra: Leeds done deal for Raphinha heir from Feyenoord yet to take off
Luis Sinisterra is yet to fully take off at Elland Road since Leeds secured a done deal with Feyenoord for who they hoped would be Raphinha’s heir. The Whites spent £21m for the Colombia forward, ahead of selling the Brazilian to Barcelona for £49m, rising up to £55m.
A hamstring injury sustained in pre-season against Crystal Palace kept Sinisterra out of the opening Premier League match against Wolves. Marsch then only afforded the 23-year-old brief cameos against Southampton, Chelsea and Brighton, before starting against Everton.
Having only played a limited amount off the bench to gain valuable minutes, Sinisterra had a limited impact, too. But a goal and an assist on his first Leeds start against Barnsley in the EFL Cup preceded a goal against Everton, as the five-cap ace struck an eye-catching hit.
5) Rasmus Kristensen: Leeds secured second done deal with RB Salzburg raid
Rasmus Kristensen has played every minute of Leeds’ opening five Premier League fixtures following a £10m transfer from RB Salzburg. The 25-year-old joined on a five-year contract as the club’s second signing of the summer with Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling both injured.
His performances have often been steady in West Yorkshire, but Kristensen has proven to be prone to occasional defensive lapses. Oppositions have found ways to catch the eight-cap Denmark defender out of position, outmuscle him and also target his side of the pitch.
6) Joel Robles: Leeds struck deal with former Real Betis start to add key depth
Leeds struck a deal with Joel Robles in early August to add depth behind Illan Meslier after the experienced goalkeeper had left Real Betis as a free agent. The move afforded Marsch a valuable understudy, who spent five seasons in England with Wigan Athletic and Everton.
Robles will not expect to feature often with Meslier very much remaining the number one at Elland Road. But Marsch will know he now has a capable backup to call on if needed, as the 32-year-old boasts 51 Premier League and 71 La Liga appearances for 34 clean sheets.
7) Sonny Perkins: West Ham wonderkid completed Elland Road switch in July
West Ham United lost one of their emerging wonderkids in July as Sonny Perkins left east London for West Yorkshire and Leeds. The 18-year-old chose to leave the Hammers at the end of his contract and signed a three-year deal at Elland Road to further his development.
David Moyes had afforded Perkins his senior debut at the London Stadium last season with a Premier League and two Europa League appearances. But they were not enough to keep the England U18 gem, who has five goals in his first four games for Leeds’ Under-21 squad.
8) Wilfried Gnonto: Leeds clinched final done deal on deadline day for FC Zurich ace
Leeds clinched their final done deal of the summer sales on deadline day with a last-ditch move for FC Zurich striker Wilfried Gnonto. The Whites paid £4m to sign the four-cap Italy international, who boasted 12 goals and 10 assists in 74 first-team games at his Swiss side.
Gnonto had not enjoyed the best start to the new season before moving to England in an eleventh-hour operation. The 5 ft 6 talent had only scored one and assisted one goal over 12 matches in all competitions, and may struggle to make an impact for Leeds this season.
9) Darko Gyabi: Leeds paid possibly high price for Manchester City prospect
Leeds paid a possibly high price to sign young prospect Darko Gyabi from Manchester City in July. The Whites agreed a £5m fee with the Citizens for an 18-year-old, who is still yet to make his senior debut – either while at the Etihad Stadium or since moving to Elland Road.
Marsch has additionally only included the centre-forward in one of his five Premier League matchday squads so far. Gyabi took a seat on the bench whilst Leeds hosted Wolves on the opening day. The England U18 talent was also left out against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
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