Leeds United have already made two signings following the end of the season and their survival of the Premier League, and according to reports, Jesse Marsch now wants to add the likes of Alberth Elis and Taty Castellanos to the party.
The Boavista winger and New York City FC attacker are two players Marsch will know a lot about given their immense impact in MLS in the past, with Elis a powerhouse wide-forward during his time with the Houston Dynamo and Castellanos the winner of the league’s Golden Boot in 2021.
Indeed, both players would add some much-needed firepower to the Leeds attack should Raphinha make his big-money move away from Elland Road this summer, yet the potential signings of both Elis and Castellanos raise an interesting question.
With Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson, another MLS product, already signed, what could Leeds’ XI for next season look like should Marsch also add the likes of Elis and Castellanos to the Whites’ ever-changing squad.
Oscar Mingueza joins Rasmus Kristensen in much-needed improved defence
One major area of the squad that Leeds have to improve on this summer is the defence, with the Elland Road side conceding the second-most out of any club in the Premier League last season. Thankfully, Marsch has already acted in the window to add reinforcements in the form of Kristensen.
The Danish international is a welcome addition at right-back following a year that saw Luke Ayling succumb to the injury curse, yet for Leeds, they could do with just more than Kristensen, with a centre-back another ideal signing.
For our XI, we’ve selected FC Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza to fill this role, with the Spanish defender a reported target for Leeds and a young talent who could be suited to the Premier League under Marsch, with the Catalan side also willing to offload the centre-back for cheap.
James Garner and Alberth Elis join Brenden Aaronson as Kalvin Phillips stays
Leeds’ success in the transfer window will likely hinge on if Kalvin Phillips stays or goes. The England international is arguably the club’s most important player, and whilst losing Raphinha seems inevitable, the Brazilian is more replaceable than the Yorkshire dynamo.
Indeed, with reports that Phillips could stay at the club, finding a suitable midfield partner will be key, and with James Garner also reportedly on Leeds’ radar, the Manchester United maestro could be a sensational player to pair with the England star.
In the attacking midfield trio, new signings Elis and Brenden Aaronson are joined by Jack Harrison, yet another MLS graduate and a player who seems to get better every year at Leeds, with the winger impressive again last season under both Marcelo Bielsa and Marsch.
MLS superstar Taty Castellanos replaces Patrick Bamford as starting striker
A large reason for Leeds’ misfortunes last season was down to the injuries of Patrick Bamford, with the England international essentially missing the entire campaign and the Whites just not having the quality in reserve to replace the former Chelsea academy star.
Indeed, Joe Gelhardt looks like a phenomenal talent for the future and has already become something of a cult hero to Leeds fans, yet with Castellanos reportedly on the club’s radar, the record-breaking MLS striker could be an ideal player to replace Bamford next season.
At 23, the Argentine is only at the start of his footballing career, and with an incredible goalscoring record over the past two years since actually moving into the striking position at NYCFC, Leeds and Marsch could be the perfect next step for Castellanos if the Whites can strike a deal with the reigning MLS Cup champions.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
